Audubon Aquarium Rescue Releases Endangered Sea Turtle

Nearly two years after arriving at the Audubon Aquatic Center on the Westbank of New Orleans, a critically endangered Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtle is back in the Gulf of Mexico.

The young turtle came to the Audubon in December 2022. It was part of a group of cold stunned turtles found and originally treated in New England. Cold stunning happens when turtles are exposed to cold temperatures. They can become weak, unable to swim, and potentially drown. This little turtle came to Audubon for extended recovery and was nicknamed “Cilantro”.

In addition to being treated for cold stunning, Cilantro had a bone infection in the left shoulder joint that required an extensive treatment plan including cold laser therapy and physical therapy. 

Cilantro is all healed now and was released into the waters of the Gulf of Mexico at Grand Isle by Audubon Aquarium Rescue team members. 

Audubon Aquarium Rescue is committed to the humane care and treatment of injured, ill, or displaced marine animals in Louisiana and is the only entity in the state responsible for the rehabilitation of live marine mammals and sea turtles.

If you spot stranded, injured, or out-of-habitat marine mammals and sea turtles (live or dead), call Audubon Aquarium Rescue at 877-942-5343.