Pistachio and Mint Chocolate Cookie Head Out to Sea

Rehabbed Sea Turtles released at First Landing State Park

OUT. COLD.  That was diagnosis when Mint Chocolate Cookie was found washed ashore at Fort Story in Virginia Beach on December, 14, 2012 and for Pistachio, who was found at False Cape State Park, on December 29, 2012.  These two sea turtles were suffering from cold-induced shock...disoriented and near death.

TO THE RESCUE.  The Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Museum Marine Stranding Response Team is always on-call ready to assist stranded marine life.  If it is a matter of simple stranding, many animals are assessed on the beach and given assistance back to the water.  However, if their survival requires longer-term intervention, the animals are brought to the Aquarium's rehabilitation facility for medical care, highly nutritious feedings, and observation.

Photo courtesy of WTKR. Members of the Stranding Response Team prepare the turtles for release.

BACK OUT TO SEA.  Released on July 12, 2013, at First Landing State Park, Pistachio and Mint Chocolate Cookie made a bee-line, past a cheering crowd, into the comforting salt waters of the Chesapeake Bay and then out into the Atlantic Ocean.

YOU CAN HELP.  If, during your stays at any of our coastal Virginia State Parks or during your walks on public or private  beaches, you see stranded marine animals, please call the Marine Stranding Response team at 757-385-7575.  Your first instinct might be to assist the animal back to the water, but it always best to wait for professional assessment and assistance to make sure the animals has the absolute best chance of survival. 

SAY NO TO BALLOONS AND BAGS.  The number one thing you can do to ensure the survival of sea turtles is to pop your balloons and throw them out AND stop using plastic grocery bags.  When in the water, balloons and plastic grocery bags have the mouth-feel of jellyfish, sea turtles' favorite food.  These man-made plastics can wreak havoc on a sea turtle's digestive system.

Photo Courtesy of WTKR.  The turtles head out into the Chesapeake Bay.

LONG TERM PLANNING.  While most rehabbed sea turtles are outfitted with tracking devices to assist marine biologists with ongoing habitat and behavior research, Pistachio and Mint Chocolate Cookie are the first two sea turtles ever to be outfitted with sonic transmitters.  Click the story from our local news station below for more information about this new technology.