Caught in a Tangled Web
Rare Kemps-ridley Sea Turtle Released into the Wild
In June at the public beach on the Chesapeake Bay in the little coastal town of Cape Charles, Virginia on Virginia’s beautiful Eastern Shore, conservation scientists who specialize in the rescue and rehabilitation of marine animals released 12 extremely rare Kemps-Ridley sea turtles into the sea. These turtles had spent the winter at the Virginia Institute of Marine Scince (VIMS) aquarium in Virginia Beach, VA, reviving from their near-death paralysis due to exposure to cold and injuries from power boats, having been rescued from beaches all along the East Coast of the United States. With a world population of only 2,000, the Kemps-Ridley sea turtles represent the hopes of marine conservationists around the world. Hundreds of well-wishers gathered throughout the morning in the bright sunshine and the warm salt waters of the lower Chesapeake Bay to see them off. Children and adults alike were absolutely astonished by the robust health and activity of the turtles as each one was carried by a volunteer down to the water’s edge and carefully dipped into the sea to be released. Off they swam, like birds in flight, flippers pumping in quick rythm. The waders cheered and jumped out of the way to give the turtles room to roam. May they all swim merrily on their way and have lots of babies!
At Cape Charles VA town beach, a rare sea turtle is released into the wild.