A 68kg sea turtle raised by humans returned to freedom this week after nine years of captivity, swimming away after the veterinarians who cared for her helped steer her toward the ocean.
Humans have raised the turtle, named Dylan, since she was found in August 1998 as a hatchling straggler on Jekyll Island’s beach, left behind by her nest mates. She spent years at two nature centres before moving to the Georgia Aquarium, and later, the Georgia Sea Turtle Center at Jekyll Island.
The caretakers took the turtle to within 3m of the water and she scooted right in as about 300 people watched from the beach. She took an immediate right turn, swimming parallel to the beach. Terry Norton, head veterinarian at the Sea Turtle Center, helped turn her back out to sea. (more…)
www.awwwww.cc 