33 endangered turtles released into waters of Gulf of Mexico

Rescuers on Thursday released 33 endangered young turtle into the waters of Gulf of Mexico; approximately 40 miles southwest of Grand Isle, Louisiana after a survey confirmed that the water is safe for creatures.

Jane Lubchenco, Ph.D., undersecretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere and NOAA administrator, said in a press statement, “We are able to release these turtles because they’re now healthy and we’re seeing recovery in the surface habitats of the Gulf of Mexico.

“They are being released within federal waters off the coast of Louisiana that earlier this month, NOAA reopened to fishing. This was another important sign of improvement in the health of the Gulf of Mexico.”

These turtles had been rescued by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Audubon Nature Institute, three months back from Louisiana, Florida and Georgia.

Then they were successfully rehabilitated at the Audubon Nature Institute in New Orleans, where scientists treated, cleaned and de-oiled them.

The turtles that were released in the waters on Thursday included species of green Kemp’s ridley, hawksbill and loggerhead sea turtles.

Rescue efforts paid off
Dubbed as the worst oil spill in the history of the United States, the spill began after an explosion on April 20 on the offshore drilling platform Deepwater Horizon took place, killing 11 men.

Within two days, the whole platform sank and oil started to take over Gulf waters, making everyone worried about the lives of sea creatures.

“They are being released within federal waters off the coast of Louisiana that earlier this month, NOAA reopened to fishing. This was another important sign of improvement in the health of the Gulf of Mexico,” stated Jane Lubchenco, Ph.D., undersecretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere and NOAA administrator.

For the very first time scientists carried out a huge rescue mission to save the endangered sea species and managed to rescue over 500 turtles from the oil spill.

Around 400 of the rescued turtles were placed in rehabilitation as they were heavily oiled and need immediate treatment. However, those who did suffer much were released immediately (after running some tests) in other healthy habitats.

Rescuers not just started a mission to save rare endangered turtles but also began an unprecedented rescue mission to save thousands of rare turtles’ eggs.

On path to recovery
Many experts have welcomed agencies decision to release turtles into their natural habitat as it’s also an indication that Gulf waters is becoming safe.

"Returning this group of sea turtles to their home waters is ... a sign that Louisiana is on the path towards recovery," said Randy Pausina, an assistant secretary for Louisiana's office of fisheries.

Meanwhile, in an attempt to combat the residual oil left in the gulf waters, Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal has also started an initiative to build series of low lying sand islands in the Gulf of Mexico.