Audubon Aquarium Rescue Releases Turtles in Grand Isle

After months of extensive care and treatment, 15 endangered sea turtles are now back home. The turtles were part of a major cold stunning event in New England last fall. 

When turtles are exposed to cold air and water, they suffer “cold stunning”. These turtles were found suffering from dehydration and injuries from getting caught in cold weather in Massachusetts. After initial rescue and treatment, volunteer pilots from Turtles Fly Too flew the turtles to Audubon Aquarium Rescue for extended care and recovery.

On Thursday, March 20, 2025, members of the Audubon Aquarium Rescue team carefully took the endangered turtles to Grand Isle, and one-by-one returned them to their aquatic home. Thirteen other turtles from the cold stunning event remain in Audubon’s care, they will continue their recovery and will be released when they are healthy enough to return to the Gulf.

Kemp’s ridley sea turtles are the smallest and most endangered of all sea turtle species. Audubon Aquarium Rescue is authorized to rehabilitate sea turtles by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and marine mammals by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). AAR is the only entity in the state of Louisiana responsible for the rehabilitation of live marine mammals and sea turtles.

If you see a stranded marine mammal or sea turtle (live or dead), report it to Audubon Aquarium Rescue at 877-942-5343.