“Hercules” makes his return to the ocean as onlookers rejoice. Photo credit: Vanessa Kahn and the New England Aquarium
WEST DENNIS – The New England Aquarium has conducted its fourth sea turtle release of the summer season, setting six more rehabilitated sea turtles free into the waters off West Dennis Beach.
Staff, volunteers, and interns were on hand as five Kemp’s ridley and one green sea turtle entering Nantucket Sound after months of rehabilitation from hypothermia related conditions acquired during the cold stunning season.
In a continuation of a long running Aquarium tradition, the released turtles were given themed names, with this year’s batch receiving names from Greek mythology.
One Kemp’s ridley, named “Hercules,” had arrived at the Aquarium in December with sepsis and severe gastrointestinal illness that required tube feeding, antibiotics, and steroids to treat, while the green sea turtle “Artemis” was found in Eastham in late November.
With 36 turtles released so far this summer, there are now only six more turtles remaining in treatment.
About Matthew Tomlinson
