Salt, one of the three rehabilitated Kemp’s Ridley turtles from the Virginia Aquarium, has been spending a lot of time in the back barrier sounds of the Eastern Shore, according to an update on the aquarium’s Facebook page.
A map of the rehabilitated turtle’s activity (Photo: Virginia Aquarium)
Three rehabilitated sea turtles were released into the ocean in July.
The turtles were hooked by local recreational fishermen and rehabilitated by the Virginia Aquarium Stranding Response Team.
The naming theme for rehab patients at the Virginia Aquarium in 2016 was “herbs and spices” and the turtles being released were named Curry, Salt and Hops.
Curry and Salt were hooked by recreational fishermen at Virginia Beach Fishing Pier. They both appeared to be in good shape when they arrived at the Virginia Aquarium but X-rays revealed that Salt had a hook that needed to be removed under light sedation by Beach Pet Hospital.
Salt was outfitted with a satellite transmitter that can broadcast his location after release. Funding for the satellite transmitter was provided by U. S. Navy Fleet Forces Command, and the transmitter location will be analyzed through a partnership with the Aquarium, U.S. Navy Fleet Forces Command, and Naval Facilities Engineering Command Atlantic.
The third sea turtle, Hops, was hooked in the throat by a recreational fisherman at Virginia Beach Fishing Pier. The hook was removed under light sedation at Beach Pet Hospital.
