After spending 7 months in rehab at the ARK, Animal Rehabilitation Keep, in Port Aransas, TX, Judy was returned home today. This 120 lb Loggerhead was fitted with a $2,000 satallite tag paid for by donations and fundraising through Friends of the ARK. Tony Amos, Director of the ARK, said the tag is expected to last over 400 days and will send a signal each time she surfaces. Anyone can log on to www.seaturtle.org, look up Judy, and follow her journey. It may take a day or so for her to appear on the website.
Also released today were 5 additional turtles for a total of 3 Kemps Ridley and 3 Loggerheads. We expected to do the release on Sunday, but high winds caused a cancellation. But today was perfect and the caravan of trucks arrived on mile marker 35, bringing the turtles in baby pools, and kept cool by wet towels. Once they were placed on the beach by ARK volunteers, they pondered their upcoming freedom, and eventually headed toward the water.
To volunteer at the ARK, call 361-749-6793. To volunteer for Friends of the ARK call 361-332-6361.
