Sea Turtle Release

As part of my NSF-INTERN experience, I have been able to take part in various activities with different groups. I am officially working with the Sea Turtle Division at the NOAA Southeast Fisheries Science Center; however, science is collaborative and NOAA is no exception. So far, I have been able to participate in two different turtle releases with the North Carolina State Wildlife Resources Commission. 

In the last turtle release, we received a little less than 20 turtles from the Atlantic Marine Conservation Society via an organization called Turtles Fly Too. This organization partners with volunteer pilots to transport turtles set to be released. These particular turtles were cold-stunned turtles, where turtles become inactive due to exposure to cold temperatures. We received the turtles from the airport and then transported them to Fort Macon beach to release them with the help of volunteers and park rangers. Because everyone loves turtles, we also had a bit of a crowd! It was great to be a part of something so special.