Endangered Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtle Returns to Galveston After International Rescue and Rehabilitation

The Gulf of Mexico welcomed back a native traveler after an epic international journey: Boeier, a juvenile Kemp’s ridley sea turtle, was released back into her home waters in Galveston following a remarkable rescue and rehabilitation effort that spanned continents. Found by commercial fishermen off the coast of the Netherlands and more than 5,000 miles from her natural habitat, Boeier’s story is one of survival against the odds and the power of global conservation efforts collaborating to save endangered species.

According to

Click2Houston

, the turtle was initially discovered, trapped in a fishing net in the chilly North Sea, which led to her being cold-stunned due to the unsuitable temperatures for a Kemp’s ridley. Having named the turtle after the boat that led to her discovery, the fishermen brought her to the care of Rotterdam Zoo where she received medical treatment.

A coordinated effort to return Boeier back to the Gulf included securing special permits and careful planning to transport the turtle across international borders, not an easy feat considering the protected status of Kemp’s ridley sea turtles. Success in obtaining a CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) permit was crucial to facilitate Boeier’s return flight from Amsterdam to Houston, as

KHOU

reported.

“We are so happy that Boeier was rescued, rehabilitated and deemed healthy enough to release so that she can rejoin the reproductive population and potentially contribute to the recovery of the species,” Mary Kay Skoruppa, the Service’s Sea Turtle Coordinator for Texas, told

KHOU

. Exhibiting the signs of good health after being cold-stunned, ready for release, tracking devices were fitted to Boeier by experts from Texas A&M University’s Gulf Center for Sea Turtle Research, a measure to monitor her movements and contribute to ongoing research.

Kemp’s ridley sea turtles are considered one of the most endangered species, their population primarily residing in the Gulf of Mexico and parts due to climate change attracting turtles into the Atlantic, were according to a biologist with Fish and Wildlife Services, Cynthia Rubio quoted by

KHOU

. Her release in Galveston was witnessed by conservationists and supporters, including Rotterdam Zoo curator Mark de Boer, cheering her on as she made her way back to familiar waters.

If anyone encounters a sea turtle in distress, they are encouraged to reach out immediately to local stranding networks, who have professionals trained to provide the necessary care and assistance. In the case of a sea turtle sighting, whether it’s injured, stranded, sick, or deceased, reports should be made by calling 1-866-TURTLE-5 (1-866-887-8535).

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