Baltimore, Friday, September 8 - The National Aquarium in Baltimore's Marine Animal Rescue Program today released a rehabilitated endangered Kemp's ridley sea turtle. The turtle stranded in June on Hooper's Island in the Chesapeake Bay. It had ingested a recreational fishing rig and had a hook lodged deep in its esophagus. With counsel and equipment from wildlife veterinarians at Maryland's Department of Natural Resources, Aquarium veterinarians surgically removed the hook and the animal was rehabilitated in the Aquarium's hospital pool.
The turtle, named Geddy, was released with a satellite tag affixed to its back that will transmit information about where it goes. The public will also be able to monitor Geddy's whereabouts through the Aquarium's Web site at www.aqua.org. The tag could track Geddy's movements for up to several months until the adhesive fails and the tag falls off. The satellite tag was provided through the generous support of The Herbert Bearman Foundation, Inc., who also chose the name of the turtle.
Geddy is the 75th rescued animal released by the Aquarium's Marine Animal Rescue Program during its 15-year history.
Turtles are common in the mid-Atlantic area through the summer into early fall while the water temperatures are at their warmest (approximately 70° F and higher). However, it is very unusual to find a Kemp's ridley sea turtle because they are so rare - this animal is one of only an estimated 6,000 of its kind globally. Kemp's ridley sea turtles are the world's most endangered sea turtle, partially because they nest on only one beach in the world, making them easy targets for poachers.
The National Aquarium in Baltimore, a non-profit organization, is Maryland's most exciting and popular cultural attraction, as well as one of the region's leading conservation and education resources, hosting more than 1.6 million visitors per year. The Aquarium's mission is to connect people with aquatic life in order to create a better world for both. It is dedicated to education and conservation through more than a dozen programs that serve the environment and the community.
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