National Aquarium Releases 9 Rehabilitated Sea Turtles in Ocean City

SALISBURY, Md. — Nine sea turtles returned to the Atlantic Ocean on Thursday as the National Aquarium celebrated their release off 40th Street in Ocean City.

The Baltimore-based aquarium opened the release to the public after the turtles completed a lengthy rehabilitation process. The turtles were rescued off the coast of Cape Cod, Massachusetts, in December along with 31 other sea turtles.

Twenty-nine turtles from the group were released in North Carolina in April, while one turtle remains in the care of the National Aquarium.

Volunteers said colder temperatures earlier in the season led to an increase in pneumonia cases among the rescued turtles, making successful releases even more meaningful.

“To be able to take the animals and just release them right back off Maryland’s shore is just great, and to have people come and support us and support the turtles making their way back into the wild is a wonderful experience for us,” said Malia Hale, director of the National Aquarium.

For more information, visit the National Aquarium’s website.