Rescued teenage turtles

Stephanie Nagel, Gulf World Marine Institute education coordinator, poses for a photo in front of her vehicle April 2 at Crooked Island East Beach. She released two sea turtles after Gulf World Marine Institute rehabilitated them after a cold front in January. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Sergio A. Gamboa)

Rescued teenage turtles

Published April 7, 2014
By Airman 1st Class Sergio A. Gamboa
325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- The 325th Civil Engineer Squadron and Gulf World Marine Institute teamed up to release two sea turtles April 2 at Crooked Island East beach.

The marine park is a non-profit organization, responsible for rehabilitates sea turtles, dolphins and small whales.

"Our main goal is to help the animals we take in to thrive," said Stephanie Nagel, Gulf World education coordinator. "The turtles are endangered, and we want to help conserve them. We also want to educate the community about turtles."

Gulf World gathered approximately 200 sea turtles in January, due to a cold front. Four times since then, they have released several back into the ocean.

"We release the turtles depending on how long they have been in rehabilitation," Nagel said. "These were the last two from the ones we gathered a few months ago."

The two turtles weren't mutants, or ninjas, but they were teenage turtles.

They were released back into the gulf near the location where they were discovered, said John Jennings, 325th CES wildlife technician.

"We were asked to provide transportation assistance to Gulf World to get the turtles down to the beach for release," he added.

More than 30 community members came out in support and to volunteer.

"I think it's superb that Gulf Word releases the turtles," Roger Straley, local Gulf World and Tyndall volunteer. "This is where the turtles are from and that is where they should be released."