Dozens of green sea turtles released into Gulf waters

PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - Sea turtles are now back in the gulf waters in Cape San Blas.

“What a beautiful day to go home,” said Kendra Jacoby, a volunteer with St. Joseph’s Bay turtle patrol. “It is just very amazing and exciting to see the sea turtles because they’re pretty exclusive.”

Jacoby says it’s important for her, that she’s able to help. Lauren Albrittain with Gulf World Marine Institute says these turtles were brought in a week ago. all they needed was to be warmed up.

“Cold turtles in this area for the most part are really healthy, they just got a little too chilly,” said Lauren Albrittain, with Gulf World Marine Institute. “This gave us enough time to warm them up slowly and tag them.”

There were forty cold stunned green sea turtles are being released into the gulf. The waters are finally warmer so they can go back into their home. We are told it is important to make sure the water is not below 50 degrees. for the turtles, or they could risk getting cold-stunned immediately.

“Whenever they’re flipping and they’re angry we want that,” said Albrittain. “That means it means they are very fueled up and ready to go. Again, these turtles by in large are healthy [and] chunky, you saw fat turtles that are just a little too cold so we can warm them up they got plenty of energy to get back out there and do what they do best.”

Albrittain says they want the animals out there as quickly as they can.

“They’re protected and sometimes endangered species that’s why we want to get as many back in as possible,” said Albrittain.

There were hundreds of people experiencing the release.

“Pretty dang exciting to be able to touch them, it is not something you get to do every day,” said Jacoby.

Everyone welcomed the sea turtles back to where they belong.

Gulf World Marine Institute workers say that if you see a turtle that looks stunned, you can call the Fish and Wildlife Commission.

The number is 188-404-3922.