Endangered Cape Cod Sea Turtles Found Near Death Saved

JACKSONVILLE, FL — Fourteen sea turtles rescued on Cape Cod in the winter after being found near death were nursed back to health and released back into the ocean this week. The four endangered Kemp’s ridley sea turtles and ten threatened loggerheads turtles stranded on Cape Cod in November and December after failing to migrate south, according to the New England Aquarium. The 14 were the worst of about 200 turtles found stranded during that time period. Kemp's ridley sea turtles are the most endangered sea turtles in the world.

The 14 turtles were nursed back to health at the aquarium's sea turtle hospital in Quincy.

"All of the turtles also had other life threatening medical conditions, such as pneumonia and emaciation, that required months of rehab," the aquarium said in a statement. "Once placed on the sand, each turtle slowly and clumsily made their way back into the Atlantic Ocean for the first time in more than four months."

The turtles were driven to Jacksonville, Florida, and released on the beach of Little Talbot Island State Park Monday.

Kemp's ridley sea turtles grow to about 2 feet and 100 pounds and live to about 50. Their population is down to a few thousand, according to federal estimates. The turtles are concentrated in the Gulf of Mexico and have been known to venture as far north as Nova Scotia. They were nearly hunted into extinction in the 1940s and are constantly threatened by fishing gear entanglements.

Loggerheads turtles grow to about 3 feet and 300 pounds and also live to about 50. Their population is about 100,000 or more.

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• 200 Endangered Sea Turtles Rescued Off Cape Cod

Photos: Some of fourteen sea turtles rescued on Cape Cod being released back into the ocean in Jacksonville, Florida, April 23, 2018. (Credit: New England Aquarium)