Operation Turtle Takeoff: Help Fly Endangered Sea Turtles to Warm Waters

Hundreds of cold-stunned sea turtles are at risk of dying—fly them to safety today.

The Issue:

Every year, endangered sea turtles migrate between warmer and colder waters. As ocean temperatures rise, turtles are expanding their range farther north in summer, making it less likely they'll be able to reach the warmer, southern waters in time for fall. When water temperatures drop too quickly, they can become cold-stunned. This potentially deadly condition affects turtles' circulation, organ functions, and immune systems, often causing them to drown. Hundreds of turtles can be stunned in one area alone.

Operation Turtle Takeoff:

To help prevent turtles from dying of cold-stunning, Operation Turtle Takeoff will rehabilitate and fly cold-stunned turtles to warmer waters. These flights are crucial to release turtles as quickly as possible, saving their lives and ensuring that they can give birth to the next generation.

$50 flies a turtle 100 miles to the safety of warm waters. Help us fund the next lifesaving flight now!

How Operation Turtle Takeoff Works
Rescue organizations operate hotlines and have trained staff and volunteers monitor New England beaches during stranding season. When turtles are rescued, they are stabilized and transferred to the New England Aquarium's Sea Turtle Hospital, for rehabilitation. Turtles are closely monitored by marine biologists as they are gradually warmed in recovery pools and reintroduced to feeding. After their individualized treatment plan has been met and they've passed diagnostic tests, turtles are cleared for takeoff. Turtles are flown with a heat pack and bedding to maintain their temperature. Receiving organizations will assess their health and complete the rehabilitation process before releasing the turtles back into the wild.

As water temperatures drop, endangered turtles are in danger!

Rehabilitation:

After their flights, receiving organizations assess each turtle's health and design an individualized treatment plan. Turtles are reintroduced to feeding, monitored for recovery, and cleared for release only after passing full diagnostic tests. Every step takes time, expertise, and resources — all made possible by supporters like you.

You can help. Will you donate now to rescue and rehabilitate these stranded turtles and send them back home to warmer waters?

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Impact:

Flight Log:

• December 3, 40 cold-stunned turtles flown to rehab centers in NY and PA!
• November 19, 35 turtles flown to safety in North Carolina!
• November 24, 91 Kemp's ridley turtles flown to safety in Gulfport, MS and New Orleans, LA!

 

 

Rescued Sea Turtles Rehab & New Names

 

Thanks to your generous donations, two cold-stunned sea turtles suffering from pneumonia and frost bite are growing stronger each day.

They will soon be released into warm waters for a fresh start with gnarly new names.

Thank you for helping to save and name Leonardo and Michelangelo.