Five Kemp's ridley sea turtles — the world's most endangered sea turtle species — and one green sea turtle were released into the wild after one year of rehabilitation.
The healed turtles were released in Pass Christian, Miss. by the Institute for Marine Mammal Studies employees and volunteers, the Sun Herald reports. And the creatures even got a blessing from Reverend Louis Lohan before they were sent off into the wild.
Different groups, including local science fair champions, carried the turtles out to the beach and set them free.
One of the Kemp's ridleys, named Chipper after the mayor of Pass Christian Chip McDermott, was fitted with a tracking device so that its movement could continue to be monitored. In fact, anyone can view Chipper's movements on the IMMS website.
The six turtles have been receiving treatment at the IMMS since they were rescued in 2012. Chipper was found along with fellow turtles Sunshine, Garfield, Nicky and Diva and green sea turtle Greenie Beanie.
"The Kemp's ridley is the most endangered of all sea turtle species," said Moby Solangi, IMMS president.
The turtles, which live 70 to 80 years, came to the Institute with serious injuries and were already facing a variety of survival challenges, Solangi said.
Before the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico three years ago, the population of Kemp's ridley species was actually showing signs of improvement.
"They depend on the Mississippi Sound for their development," said Andy Coleman, senior scientists and turtle ecologist at IMMS.
It is still unknown how much of a negative impact the oil spill had on the Kemp's ridley sea turtle species.
Coleman encourages anyone who sees a stranded sea turtle, nesting activity or accidentally captures a sea turtle to call the IMMS stranding hotline at 1-888-SOS-DOLPHIN (1-888-767-3657).
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says that captures are one of the biggest threats to Kemp's ridleys, among other various reasons.
"Kemp's ridleys face threats on both nesting beaches and in the marine environment," the agency says about the risks associated with the species' survival.
"The greatest cause of decline and the continuing primary threat to Kemp's ridleys is incidental capture in fishing gear, primarily in shrimp trawls, but also in gill nets, longlines, traps and pots, and dredges in the Gulf of Mexico and North Atlantic."
Read more about the Kemp's Ridley sea turtle on the NOAA website.
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