I Like Turtles!

Yesterday evening I got the chance to see a turtle release!

Our local aquarium had three sea turtles that had been rehabilitated and were ready to be released.

I wasn't the only one who came to watch...one ranger estimated 1500 people came to see.

It was nicely done...aquarium staff (with special assistance from a few lucky kids) carried the turtles around for everyone to get a look at before their release.

The first to be released was a youngster that had been at the aquarium since hatching...despite concerns that he (or she? I never heard) wouldn't know what to do...it didn't take long...

The other two had only been at the aquarium since April. They had gotten "cold-shocked" when the water temperature dropped too abruptly causing them disorientation and inability to take care of themselves. After a few months of pampering they were ready to go!

 

Well, actually, one of them wasn't quite ready to go...but after a bit of prompting dove under the breakers and was gone.