Rescued sea turtles released in Nantucket Sound

BOSTON (WWLP) – After being rescued during the winter, five sea turtles have regained their health and were returned to Nantucket Sound off West Dennis Beach on Cape Cod.

The five turtles included one loggerhead and four Kemp’s ridley sea turtles. They were rescued from beaches along Cape Cod Bay after they were found suffering from various life-threatening conditions including hypothermia, pneumonia, dehydration, and emaciation.

After being rescued, the turtles were brought to the New England Aquarium’s Sea Turtle Hospital in Quincy where the sea turtle rescue and rehabilitation staff nursed them back to health. According to a news release from the Aquarium, during the 2023 cold-stunning season, rehabilitation staff treated 394 live sea turtles that were rescued from the shores of Cape Cod in November and December by staff and volunteers with Mass Audubon’s Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary.

This season, the team is using a combination of acoustic and satellite tags for real-time data and long-term tracking. Some of the turtles can be followed on the Aquarium’s Sea Turtle Tracker page. The turtles released are:

• “Marsh Mallow” (#336) – Stranded on 12/1/23
• “Tulip” (#647) – Stranded on 12/15/23
• “Lupine” (#693) – Stranded on 12/21/23
• “Bluebonnet” (#698) – Stranded on 12/21/23
• “Violet” (#712) – Stranded on 2/22/23

Joining the staff to release the turtles was Senator Edward J. Markey who introduced a bill to establish a new $30 million grant program at the Department of Commerce for efforts to rescue, rehabilitate, and research stranded sea turtles. The legislation, which is bipartisan and involves both the House and Senate, recently moved out of the Senate Commerce Committee by unanimous consent in late July.

“When I visited these sea turtles at the New England Aquarium’s Sea Turtle Hospital back in February, I promised to get my Sea Turtle Rescue Assistance and Rehabilitation Act over the finish line,” said Senator Markey. “Last week, my bill passed the Senate Commerce Committee on a bipartisan basis and we are now one step closer to keeping our shelled friends safe. I am grateful to the great work of the New England Aquarium for saving nearly 400 turtles this season, and I will continue to work to ensure that rescue and rehabilitation organizations across the country can thrive for decades to come.”

“We are thrilled to have people on our side, like Senator Markey, who have truly dedicated time and resources to help us complete this important work,” said New England Aquarium President and CEO Vikki Spruill. “This act is a testament to the work that still needs to be done, and we look forward to continuing this relationship with the Senator to ensure its passage and the continued efforts to support these species.”

Seven turtles are still at the Aquarium’s Quincy facility from the 2023 cold stun event, awaiting medical clearance to be released.

Latest Local News Headlines

Baystate Wing helipad to close for maintenance, alternate landing site announced

Volunteers needed for local pantry, thrift shop

The impact this summer’s weather has had on local farmers

Storrowton Village seeks volunteers for The Big E season and beyond

WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP.