VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WVEC) -- The Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center's Stranding Response Team is releasing 3 rehabilitated sea turtles on Saturday.
At 3 p.m. along the shore behind Neptune's Park at 31st Street the 2 Kemp's ridley and 1 loggerhead sea turtles will be released.
The sea turtles to be released are:
- Piglet, a sub-adult loggerhead turtle, was found and brought to the Aquarium in September of 2016, and treated for pneumonia.
- Fuchsia, a juvenile Kemp's ridley sea turtle, was hooked in May of 2017 at Buckroe Fishing Pier. The hook was caught in the turtle's esophagus, and it had a swollen right front flipper.
- Indigo, a juvenile Kemp's ridley sea turtle, was hooked by a recreational angler at the Lynnhaven Pier on October 14, 2017. The turtle was hooked in the mouth.
The Stranding Response Team urges anyone who sees a stranded, entangled or hooked turtle to call the 24-hour hotline (757) 385-7575.
If you do hook a turtle, bring it up onto the pier or boat using a net; do not attempt to remove the hook yourself or cut the line. If you cut the line, leave 2 feet attached. Keep the turtle contained in a quiet, shaded area until Stranding Response Team members arrive.
For more information about the Virginia Aquarium Stranding Response Program click HERE.
