Allison the Kemps ridley

Two Boca Grande Kemp’s ridleys — the most endangered sea turtle species on Earth — were returned to the wild on Thursday following rehabilitation by Mote Marine Laboratory. The two turtles will be tagged with special tracking devices, and their case histories are contributing to a major research study by Mote and the Conservancy of Southwest Florida.

“Allison” and “Squeaky,” juvenile Kemp’s ridleys, were rescued in October from the Boca Grande area waters after being harmed by toxins from Florida red tide. The turtles were returned to the sea by Mote caregivers on Thursday morning, Dec. 6 in Pinellas County — an area with suitable habitat for young Kemp’s ridleys.

 

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