Mississippi Aquarium releases endangered Kemp's ridley turtles from its research boat

Six endangered Kemp's ridley turtles were released into the Mississippi Sound by staff at Mississippi Aquarium.

The turtles were released from the Aquarium's research boat east of Cat Island, approximately eight miles from Gulfport Harbor.
It was the first time Mississippi Aquarium used its boat to release the endangered sea turtles.

The Kemp's ridleys were flown to Mississippi Aquarium via Turtles Fly Too from New England Aquarium in late 2021. The turtles were cold-stunned and spent several months receiving treatments and rehabilitating at Mississippi Aquarium.

The Kemp's ridleys released cleared the required medical
protocols. Mississippi Aquarium staff has rehabilitated and released more than 30 of the 50 Kemp's ridley sea turtles sent from New England Aquarium in late 2021.