Audubon Aquarium Rescue Heads to Alabama for Turtle Release

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Sea Turtle April 2026
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Sea Turtle Audubon Aquarium Rescue April 2026
Cold-Stunned Turtles
Cold-Stunned Turtles
Sea Turtle Release 4.4.23-20

Sea Turtle Release in Grand Isle, LA April 4, 2023 Coastal Wildlife Network Audubon Nature Institute Audubon Coastal Wildlife Network released nine of the 18 endangered Kemp’s ridley sea turtles that suffered from cold stunning in December 2022. The Kemp’s ridley sea turtles were part of a large cold-stunning event along the New England coast. All the turtles were in rehabilitation at Audubon’s Aquatic Center at Freeport-McMoRan Audubon Species Survival Center for eventual release into the Gulf of Mexico.

After months of extensive rehabilitation, nine sea turtles are scheduled to return to Gulf waters this week. Audubon Aquarium Rescue will release them at West End Public Beach on Dauphin Island on Thursday, May 21, 2026, at noon.

There are six Kemp’s ridley sea turtles scheduled for release. They were part of a large cold stunning event last fall near Cape Cod, Massachusetts and were flown to Audubon Aquarium Rescue for extended treatment and rehabilitation.

Sea turtles are cold-blooded and cannot regulate their body temperature. As a result, when water temperatures drop, sea turtles can become hypothermic or “cold-stunned.” Kemp’s ridley sea turtles are the smallest and most critically endangered species of sea turtle.

The Audubon Aquarium Rescue team is also releasing three green sea turtles that were receiving care following exposure to oil in Louisiana waters earlier this spring.

Both species of sea turtles are found in the Gulf. The Alabama location was selected to give the turtles a safe return to the Gulf.

“All of these turtles have recovered from dangerous situations. Each was evaluated by our veterinarians and received individualized medical treatment plans. Some of these turtles have been in our care since last fall and it is rewarding to see them healthy and returning to the Gulf,” said Gabriella Harlamert, Audubon Aquarium Rescue’s Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle Stranding and Rehab Coordinator.

February through June is peak turtle stranding season in Louisiana. With more than 7,700 square miles of complex coastline for AAR to cover, public reporting is critical to helping find stranded animals. If you spot stranded or out-of-habitat marine mammals and sea turtles (live or dead) call Audubon Aquarium Rescue at 877-942-5343.

Audubon Aquarium Rescue is the only authorized entity for marine mammal and sea turtle stranding response and rehabilitation in Louisiana and is dedicated to the humane care and treatment of injured, ill, or displaced marine animals. AAR is committed to enhancing stranding response and collecting data of live and dead marine mammals and sea turtles in Louisiana. The data collected from all stranded animals provides a snapshot into the health of the marine environment and provides a better understanding of threats to marine mammals and sea turtles in the wild.