100 Rescued Sea Turtles In New Jersey; Nonprofit Hits Big Milestone

WEST ORANGE, NJ — 100 was a big milestone for Sea Turtle Recovery. But 101 is just as important.

That’s how many sea turtles the New Jersey nonprofit has rehabilitated and released back to the ocean since it opened its clinic at the Essex County Turtle Back Zoo, which is located in West Orange.

There are seven species of sea turtles in the world, and the Garden State is home to four of them. Kemp’s Ridley, Loggerhead, Leatherback and Green Sea Turtles frequent the New Jersey coast during the warm summer months – all are threatened and endangered.

Prior to Sea Turtle Recovery opening their animal hospital in North Jersey, sea turtles had to be taken outside of the state for long-term care – not an easy job. See Related: 15 Endangered Sea Turtles Rescued After Car Crash

In 2016, Essex County officials offered space at the Turtle Back Zoo to launch a new recovery and rehab center for the lovable creatures. The nonprofit hasn’t looked back since, staff say.

“We want people to understand that every sea turtle’s life has a positive effect on the population,” co-executive officer Bill Deerr said.

“Carrying our 101st rescued and recovered sea turtle down the beach is the start of yet another chapter,” Deerr added.

That turtle – which they’ve named Butterscotch – will make its way to the ocean on Point Pleasant Beach near Jenkinson’s Aquarium during the week of Aug. 6 (with the exact date dependent on weather and tides).

Until then, Butterscotch and the other turtles under the nonprofit’s care can be visited at the zoo (learn more here).

Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo Jr. said the county and zoo administrators are proud to house the only sea turtle hospital in the state.

“Through this partnership for environmental conservation, we are working to protect species diversity and the health of our oceans,” DiVincenzo said.

It’s a partnership that’s good for people, too – not just turtles, according to Deerr and the staff at Sea Turtle Recovery.

“From Green Sea Turtles assuring the health of sea grass beds that provide fish nurseries to nesting that enriches soil for dune grasses that reduce beach erosion, sea turtles not only impact a healthy ocean ecosystem but also our lives,” Deerr said.

“We hope everyone can see that even small actions can make a big difference in saving our planet,” Deerr encouraged.

• See Related: Warm Weather Caused Deadly Trap For NJ Sea Turtles, Group Says
• See Related: See Sea Turtles In NJ; Zoo Recovery Center Opens To Public
• See Related: NJ Turtle Rescue Sees Heartwarming Milestone Amid COVID Pandemic

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