Endangered sea turtle rehabilitated and released in Southampton
He was found cold stunned in Massachusetts in December and was transported to the Atlantic Marine Conservation Society on Long Island.
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Mimosa is an endangered Kemp’s Ridley sea turtle who was released back into the ocean in Southampton Wednesday afternoon.
The Atlantic Marine Conservation Society took in 25 cold stunned sea turtles from Massachusetts in December and are slowly rehabilitating them and releasing them back into the wild.
Mimosa came in with a significant neck would, but the team’s veterinary care eventually healed her.
Mimosa is the 21st sea turtle released by AMSEAS in 2026 and the 112th rehabilitated sea turtle returned to the wild by the organization since opening its sea turtle critical care facility in 2020.
“When the turtles come in, they are critical,” said Rob DiGiovanni, the chief scientist at AMSEAS. “They are usually not moving a lot. So you're trying to nurse them back to health. You can get attached to the animals. And being able to see them progress through their rehabilitation, be able to start eating on their own, and then get to the point where you realize they're ready to go. It's kind of mixed emotions.”
Cold stunned sea turtles are unfortunately becoming more common.
AMSEAS is one of only two turtle rehabilitation organizations in New York.
