New York Marine Rescue Center to Release Rehabilitated Loggerhead Sea Turtle with Satellite Tracking
TL;DR
The New York Marine Rescue Center's successful turtle rehabilitation demonstrates advanced wildlife care capabilities that enhance their reputation as leaders in marine conservation.
The New York Marine Rescue Center used specialized weights and transfer protocols to rehabilitate a buoyant loggerhead turtle before satellite tagging and ocean release.
This successful turtle rehabilitation and release advances marine conservation efforts, protecting endangered species and promoting environmental stewardship for future generations.
A loggerhead sea turtle named Pegasus, rescued after a vessel strike, was rehabilitated using specialized weights and will be tracked post-release.
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The New York Marine Rescue Center will release an adult loggerhead sea turtle named Pegasus at Tiana Beach on Tuesday, September 23rd, following successful rehabilitation from injuries sustained from a suspected vessel strike. The turtle was originally reported stranded on June 4, 2024, at Assateague National Park in Maryland and received initial treatment at the National Aquarium in Baltimore before being transferred to NYMRC in May 2025 for continued recovery.
Pegasus was experiencing buoyancy issues when first rescued, requiring specialized weights during her rehabilitation to help overcome floating challenges and regain muscle strength. The transfer to NYMRC became necessary as she needed a larger tank to better monitor her buoyancy and swimming abilities as her recovery progressed. The collaboration between the two organizations highlights the importance of inter-institutional cooperation in marine animal rehabilitation.
Before her release, NYMRC Executive Director Maxine Montello will equip Pegasus with a satellite tag to track her post-release movements. This tracking will provide valuable data on her behavior and movement patterns, contributing to broader understanding of long-term outcomes for rehabilitated sea turtles. The satellite tagging represents a significant advancement in marine conservation research, offering insights into the challenges sea turtles face after returning to the wild.
The release marks another milestone in NYMRC's ongoing mission to rescue, rehabilitate, and release marine animals in need while supporting conservation and research efforts across the region. As the primary responders for sick or injured marine mammals and sea turtles in New York State, NYMRC maintains the only marine mammal and sea turtle rehabilitation center in the state. More information about their work can be found at https://www.nymarinerescue.org.
The National Aquarium, where Pegasus received initial treatment, is a private nonprofit organization focused on connecting people with nature to inspire compassion and care for the ocean planet. Their exhibits, education programs, and field initiatives engage over 1.2 million people annually, generating significant economic impact for Maryland. Additional details about their conservation work are available at https://www.aqua.org.
This successful rehabilitation and planned release demonstrate the effectiveness of coordinated marine rescue efforts and the importance of continued research into sea turtle conservation. The data collected from Pegasus's satellite tracking will contribute to improved understanding of marine animal rehabilitation outcomes and inform future conservation strategies for threatened sea turtle populations.
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