Endangered turtles to be released

Several endangered Kemp’s ridley sea turtles, the rarest species and critically endangered, that were caught accidentally by Gulf Coast fishermen will be released back into the Mississippi Sound this weekend. Anglers had enough forethought to call marine mammal authorities to help save the reptiles. Members from the Institute for Marine Mammal Studies (IMMS) in Gulfport were able to save and rehabilitate the turtles. Mississippi State University (MSU) veterinarian Dr. Debra Moore, who works out of IMMS, cared and treated the turtles. Dr. Mystera Samuelson, a behavioral ecologist at IMMS, said: "By releasing these turtles back into the Gulf, we are helping to preserve this critically endangered species.” The rehabilitation program is funded by the National Fish and Wildlife Federation, IMMS, MSU, Department of Marine Resources, NOAA, and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Services. (Source: WLOX 07/27/18)