Sea Turtle Krewe Marches On
Each year staff and volunteers with Massachusetts Audubon Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary to rescue the turtles washed up on the beaches of Cape Cod , MA , and take them to the New England Aquarium ’ s sea turtle hospital and the National Marine Life Center . There they are stabilized and flown to secondary rehabilitation facilities along the East Coast and the Gulf of Mexico , including Audubon ’ s , to continue treatment . Of the 30 turtles Audubon received , 21 were sent from the New England Aquarium and nine were sent from the National Marine Life Center in Massachusetts .
On Nov . 25 , the rescued turtles took off from New England with Turtles Fly Too , Inc ., which recruits “ Turtle Fliers ” who donate their expertise , aircraft , fuel , and labor to assist the rescue efforts of endangered species around the country . NOAA Fisheries works with Turtles Fly Too to coordinate flights to free up valuable space for more cold-stunned turtles at the New England Aquarium and the National Marine
Life Center . Due to severe weather on Nov . 25 , the plane was forced to change course and refuel twice . After refueling in Chattanooga , TN , the plane experienced a mechanical issue preventing it from flying .
Audubon contacted Tennessee Aquarium , whose staff graciously took the 30 turtles to an offsite facility and cared for them overnight . On the morning of Thanksgiving Day , the turtles were loaded in a transport vehicle and Turtles Fly Too ’ s pilots Robert Tingley and his wife with co-pilot Jennifer took to the road to continue the journey to New Orleans . Audubon staff met the pilots halfway and arrived at Audubon ’ s Aquatic Center the evening of Nov . 26 .
“ Our Turtle Fliers are always ready and generously contribute to assist in endangered species rescue . Robert and Jessica ’ s flexibility to persevere through the many complications that made up this ‘ perfect storm ’ experience lends volumes to the dedication of each of our 350 pilots ,” said Leslie Weinstein , president
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