15 Endangered Sea Turtles Rescued After Car Crash

WEST ORANGE, NJ — A car due to transport 15 endangered Kemp’s Ridley sea turtles crashes. The plan – take the animals from Massachusetts to a hospital in Pennsylvania – needs serious rethinking. But where can you take more than a dozen saltwater reptiles on the spur of the moment?

Enter New Jersey’s only long-term rehabilitation facility for sea turtles, Sea Turtle Recovery (STR).

Last week, the nonprofit provided emergency shelter for 15 of the lovable sea creatures at their facility at Essex County’s Turtle Back Zoo in West Orange. With five sick and injured turtles already in their care, it posed a hectic and unexpected challenge, the nonprofit’s staff reported.

Here’s how the STR found itself playing surprise host to the newcomers:

“On the morning of December 14, STR’s staff were caring for five sick and injures sea turtles when they received an urgent call. NOAA’s Northeast Region Coordinator called asking STR to immediately take 15 endangered Kemp’s Ridley sea turtles that had been traveling to a hospital in Pennsylvania from Massachusetts. The turtles were to be transported the first leg of the trip with NOAA staff and the second leg would be carried out by the Pennsylvania crew. However, prior to the exchange, the Pennsylvania crew was in a car accident that left them unable to receive the turtles. Luckily nobody was severely injured, but the NOAA team and turtles found themselves with no place to go.”

After arriving at the Turtle Back Zoo, the 15 newcomers were immediately reintroduced to saltwater, a typical step after any transport, STR staff said.

Well-wishers can catch a glimpse of the rescued turtles through a viewing window inside STR’s facility at Turtle Back Zoo.

It’s not the first time that STR has come to the aid of the local turtle population.

In June, the nonprofit participated in the rescue of an ailing loggerhead about three miles east of Cape Henlopen near the Delaware border. As a result, the stabilized turtle – dubbed "Tammie" after the historic Coast Guard Cutter Tamaroa –lived to return to the oceans once again.

• See related article: Sea Turtle Saved By NJ Coast Guard Crew, Rescue Groups (WATCH)

In December of 2016, STR took in 10 “cold-stunned” Kemp's Ridley sea turtles from their previous home at the New England Aquarium in Massachusetts.

• See related article: 'Cold-Stunned' Sea Turtles Sheltered At N.J.'s Turtle Back Zoo

Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo Jr. said that the county is thrilled to have the nonprofit at the zoo.

“To know that Sea Turtle Recovery is playing a critical role in helping the environment is a wonderful accomplishment, and hosting them at Turtle Back Zoo provides the public with an opportunity to learn about conservation and become more aware about the environment,” DiVincenzo said.

Why should East Coast residents care about safeguarding sea turtles? According to STR:

“Sea Turtles impact humans in various ways. For example, sea turtle eggs nourish beach grasses to create sustainable dunes which protect the coastline. Green Sea Turtles feed on and maintain sea grass beds along the ocean floor that act as nurseries for various fish populations including important food and game species.”

• See related article: See Sea Turtles In NJ; Zoo Recovery Center Opens To Public

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Photos: STR