20 Rescued Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtles Arrive In Westhampton Beach

WESTHAMPTON BEACH, NY — For the third year in a row, rescued Kemp's ridley sea turtles have found safe haven in Westhampton Beach.

On Sunday, the Atlantic Marine Conservation Society admitted 20 cold stunned Kemp’s ridley sea turtles to triage in their Westhampton Beach facility, the organization said. The sea turtles arrived from the New England Aquarium and National Marine Life Center on a flight coordinated by Turtles Fly Too, landing at Gabreski Airport.

AMSEAS said their efforts are part of the Specially Trained Animal Response Team, to provide support to other organizations within the network. The mission was organized by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries' Stranding and Disentanglement Coordinator Kate Sampson, AMSEAS said.

According to representatives for AMSEAS , the organization was asked for the third year in a row to help during the busy 2022 cold stun season by providing short-term care for the cold-stunned sea turtles at their critical care sea turtle facility. AMSEAS biologists and volunteers have formed several internal teams, including transport, triage, and husbandry, to assess each sea turtle and come up with a care plan, representatives said.

Kemp’s ridley sea turtles are the smallest and most endangered species of sea turtles in the
world, AMSEAS said.

With so many turtles at stake, NOAA Fisheries works with many partner organizations
for a coordinated rescue effort. Volunteers from the Massachusetts Audubon's Wellfleet Bay
Wildlife Sanctuary walk Cape Cod beaches to collect the cold-stunned turtles. Volunteers then bring the turtles back to Mass Audubon, where staff checks for signs of life and evaluates the turtles, who then go to the New England Aquarium’s Animal Care Center or the National Marine Life Center, both NOAA Fisheries sea turtle stranding network members, for an initial evaluation
and treatment.

"AMSEAS is grateful for all its supporters, friends and partners that helped make it possible to spin up and help with donations, supplies, resources, and support," the organization said.

Report all stranded marine mammals and sea turtles to the NY Stranding Hotline at 631-369-
9829.