The mayor of Pass Christian, Jimmy Rafferty, joined MSU faculty, staff, and students for the sea turtle release. (Photos provided by Beth Peterman)
By Alaina Dismukes
Did you know that Kemp's ridley sea turtles are the most critically endangered sea turtle? Mississippi State University’s Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle Conservation, Recovery, and Monitoring Program works endlessly in an effort to preserve this species of sea turtle, along with others, through rescue, rehabilitation, and release.
On May 10, 2023, the program, which is managed by MSU’s Global Center for Aquatic Health and Food Security (GCAHFS) and includes participation by MSU's College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM) and the Institute for Marine Mammal Studies (IMMS), released four Kemp's ridley sea turtles into the Mississippi Sound in Pass Christian, Mississippi.
These four Kemp's ridley sea turtles, along with 26 others, were found cold-stunned in Massachusetts in December 2022. They were among over a thousand Kemp's ridley sea turtles found cold-stunned in the New England area during that time. The sea turtles were rescued and successfully transported to Mississippi for rehabilitation on December 13, where MSU veterinarians treated the turtles and brought them back to good health.
"Our goal is to return the sea turtles back to their natural habitat to be able to reproduce and contribute to the successful increase of the population," said Debra Moore, MSU assistant clinical professor.
After months of recovery and careful evaluation, these four sea turtles were released back into the wild with great fanfare in Pass Christian as the public, MSU faculty, staff, and students, along with IMMS personnel, waved goodbye and wished them good luck on their journey.
The mayor of Pass Christian, Jimmy Rafferty, was excited that he and his community were able to be a part of the occasion.
"The response was overwhelmingly positive, and this was evidenced by a large number of people witnessing the release of the sea turtles in Pass Christian," Rafferty said. "We had people of all ages cheering on the efforts of IMMS and Mississippi State University to return sea turtles—that had to be rehabilitated beforehand—to their natural habitat. These efforts help reinforce the fact that the Mississippi Gulf Coast is a wonderful place to live and to visit."
Nine MSU students, from the veterinary medicine and veterinary medical technology programs, participated in the event. Two of these students were present in December for the turtles’ arrival.
"It made the entire process come together for the students that were able to see how sick the sea turtles originally were and then release them back into their environment in full health," said Beth Peterman, MSU assistant clinical professor and project manager for GCAHFS.
"The MSU Global Center for Aquatic Health and Food Security is pleased to be able to contribute to the success of the Kemp’s ridley sea turtle population in the United States," said Stephen Reichley, GCAHFS associate director and MSU assistant professor. "We are happy to provide the opportunity for MSU CVM veterinary specialists, residents, interns, and students to work alongside our aquatic veterinarians to help this important species recover."
The waves gently rolled against the shore lined with onlookers as the four Kemp's ridley sea turtles swam away, back where they belong.
Published May 24, 2023