A group of sea turtles who were rehabilitated at the National Aquarium in Maryland have been returned to their natural habitat on the coast of Florida,
According to a press release, fifteen turtles were brought to an aquarium by their owners in November. They were left stranded due to being cold-stunned (which is also associated with pneumonia and skin lesions) and dehydration off Massachusetts’ coast.
All of the turtles were named after musical instruments: Violas (Piccolo), Harp, Harp and Xylophones (Kazoo), Harp, Harp, Xylophones; Fiddle, Maraca & Harmonica; Clarinets & Clarinets); Castanets (Bongo, Banjo, Cornet), and Trumpet.
All members of the aquarium team were pleased to have made complete recovery. Cornet recovered after ingesting plastic.
“We are ecstatic that Cornet made a successful recovery, but unfortunately, the threat of plastic pollution isn’t over for him or any of these turtles as they migrate along east coast waters,”Jennifer Dittmar (National Aquarium Animal Rescue Director) said.
“Marine debris continues to be a growing concern for the safety of sea turtles as they migrate along the waters of the east coast. Cornet’s case serves as a stark reminder of why the National Aquarium works to advocate for the elimination of single-use plastics and the removal of plastic pollution from waterways and wetlands,”She continued.
These rescues are part the Aquarium’s Animal Rescue program, which responds to the needs of stranded marine mammals or sea turtles along Maryland’s nearly 3,190 mile coastline and releases them after they have been rehabilitated.