BALTIMORE — Four sea turtles were released back into the ocean at Assateague State Park after the marine reptiles were successful rehabilitated by the National Aquarium’s Animal Rescue team.
SEE MORE: Full Gallery - National Aquarium releases rehabbed sea turtles
Two of the turtles, identified as Kemp’s ridley sea turtles, began their rehabilitation in November of 2018, arriving at the National Aquarium after being stranded on the coast of Massachusetts. Two other turtles, identified as loggerheads and given the names Iron and Gallium, were rescued off the shores of Cape Cod in 2018. They had previously been in the care of the New England Aquarium before being sent south for further rehabilitation. The National Aquarium also released an additional two Kemp’s ridley turtles that were rehabilitated by the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium.
READ MORE: Animal Care and Rescue Center opens at the National Aquarium
The rescue of any animal stranded along any of Maryland’s 3,190 miles of coast is the purview of the National Aquarium’s Animal Rescue program. The team works with partner organizations through the GARS Network in an effort to respond to, rescue, and hopefully release these marine animals year-round. The National Aquarium recently opened a new animal rehabilitation center in Baltimore’s Jonestown neighborhood.
