Salt

Cape Cod Sea Turtle Release 2007

A project of New England Aquarium.

click map for full-size version Hi all, You will notice some changes in the map. I added ocean currents and chlorophyll layer to this map so I can see how these relate to the location and movements of this turtle. I will likely leave the map this way for the next few weeks. As always, all adoptive parents should feel free to email me (address below) if you would like some additional photos of Salt during rehabilitation and on the day of release. Thanks again for your support and interest in sea turtles and in Salt. Sincerely, Connie Merigo Senior Biologist Rescue Department Manager New England Aquarium cmerigo@neaq.org

Full-Size Map (124KB)
Zoom Map (78KB)

Species: Green Turtle
Life Stage: Juvenile
Gender: Unknown
Release Date: 2007-08-20 17:00:00
Release Location: Dowses Beach, Osterville, Massachusetts
Last Location: 2008-04-01 22:50:37

Adoptive Parents:
Jenny Saucier
Rima Miller
Christopher Barrett
Emma Buda
Kevin Gustina
Claire Gaston
Stacey Vajanyi
Salt Lucas
Katie E. Sousa
Magic Apple School
The Beach Family
Kelani Bechtol
Timothy M.
Alban deBollardiere
Clare
Rob (Turtle Rock) Leonard
Jim Currie
Amy C. Shea
Alexandra Lynn Watson
Sarah & CJ
Eileen Breslin
Christina Ford

Background

“Salt” is a green sea turtle that stranded in Sandwich on Cape Cod, MA, USA, on November 24th, 2006. It was rescued from the beach by the Wellfleet Bay Audubon and brought to the New England Aquarium in Boston, MA, for rehabilitation. Salt, like most turtles that strand in MA during the fall, was cold-stunned. As the water temperature drops during this time of year, eventually it dips below the temperature that these warm water species can endure. They float in a coma-like state and can be susceptible to injury, infection, frostbite, and other problems.

Salt recovered quickly during rehabilitation and was soon eating fish, squid, and greens. It was transported to the Riverhead Foundation for Marine Research and Preservation on Long Island, NY, on March 2nd to continue his rehabilitation. At Riverhead, Salt has continued to thrive and gained almost 2kg since it stranded. Salt's shell, with the sunburst pattern that green sea turtles are known for, was in beautiful condition when it was released on August 20th from Osterville, Cape Cod, MA.

The last green sea turtle that we tagged and released transmitted for 120 days and surprised us by overwintering north of New England. We hope to track Salt for a long time and we look forward to comparing its movements to the last green sea turtle. Good luck Salt!