Turtles Return Home

Several NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher staff members assisted with the release of sixteen rehabilitated sea turtles from the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue & Rehabilitation Center in Topsail Beach on June 3. In all, 16 turtles including four green turtles, three Kemp's Ridleys and nine loggerheads returned home. As Aquarium staff carried "Lookout" to sea, about 600 onlookers cheered and snapped photos. Lookout took to the water immediately, and swam away in the surf.

Three of the released turtles were brought to the Aquarium in April for a test swim. Bradley, a loggerhead, was found severely injured in Bradley Creek. She had been struck by a boat. She is missing one flipper. Jersey, a Kemp's Ridley, lost a flipper in a fishing net in New Jersey. Canal was bitten by a shark and found in a canal on Ocean Isle Beach. She lost two flippers and a chunk of her shell.

Turtle Test Swim

Three injured turtles from the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center visited the aquarium yesterday. Bradley, a loggerhead, was found severely injured in Bradley Creek. She had been struck by a boat. She is missing one flipper. Jersey, a Kemp's Ridley, lost a flipper in a fishing net in New Jersey. Canal was bitten by a shark and found in a canal on Ocean Isle Beach. She lost two flippers and a chunk of her shell. Turtle rescuers wondered how the amputees would fare if released back into the ocean. Their 300 gallon rehabilitation tanks were too small to test their abilities. Once they hit the water in our 6,500 gallon tank, they took off with cheers and encouragement from all who watched. We are happy to report - they all passed with flying colors. Bradley, Jersey and Canal will be released in late June.