First Oiled Turtles Released in Gulf After Rehab (Photos, Video)

[Divernan]

Source: AP. Cedar Key, Florida

AP) CEDAR KEY, Fla. -- The first rehabilitated turtles oiled by BP's massive leak were released back into the Gulf of Mexico on Wednesday, with scientists saying that animals taken in by rescuers - including birds - appear more resilient than first feared.

Retired Coast Guard Adm. Thad Allen, who is overseeing the oil crisis for the government, helped release the 22 oiled sea turtles about a mile off the coast of Cedar Key, Fla., an area unaffected by the spilled crude. They were the first oiled turtles found in the Gulf and rehabilitated. "I think it's emblematic of us starting to look forward in the recovery," Allen said, smiling as he released some of the turtles. "This is a very pristine environment. This is their natural habitat."

Even though oil spill rescue crews have brought more sea turtles and birds to shore in the month since BP capped its broken well than the previous month, wildlife officials said both kinds of animals have suffered less damage than originally projected.

Rescuers have taken in 444 oiled turtles that were found alive since April 30, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. They found 522 turtles dead, though they've only confirmed that 17 of those had oil on them.
Government researchers have largely declined to discuss the turtles' causes of death.




Read more: www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/08/19/first-oiled-turtles-relea_n_687178.html

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I think this whole release project is a feel-good spin by an assortment of state and federal agencies. This is an endangered, migratory species.

Depending on their breeding strategy, male Kemp's ridleys appear to occupy many different areas within the Gulf of Mexico. Some males migrate annually between feeding and breeding grounds, yet others may not migrate at all, mating with females opportunistically encountered. No matter where released, these turtles will likely instinctively return to the polluted areas from which they were "rescued".

Between the reports of beach-walking Floridians of dead sea life being "disappeared" from the beaches on a nightly basis, and the refusal to give independent, non-government-employed/ muzzled scientists access either to the affected areas OR the data upon which the govt. bases it's feel-good assessments, I don't for one second believe the numbers reported by any govt. agency.
"Rescuers, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration found 522 turtles dead, though they've only confirmed that 17 of those had oil on them.
Government researchers have largely declined to discuss the turtles' causes of death"

Furthermore:

Because this is an endangered species, any government program charged with protecting it should have tagged these turtles before they were released - and I expect they were. Given that the animals are endangered, it would be negligent not to tag and track them.

They can be tracked to determine if they return to the polluted areas, and also to see how long they survive. Clue: When the signal stops moving or disappears - the animal is dead. Can we, the general public, expect to have any such data released to the public? Are there any competent reporters left to investigate this? Probably not, in answer to both questions. Just pay your taxes, everyone and then go away - or at least keep your mouth shut and don't ask any questions.

Ridley's turtles are a graceful joy to watch as they swim through the ocean. I'm glad I had the chance to see them, dolphins, sharks, rays, etc., within the last decade, before their populations are decimated.

[mikelgb]

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