Clearwater Marine Aquarium releases sea turtle hatchlings found in storm drain back into the Gulf

Sea turtle hatchlings released into Gulf

The Clearwater Marine Aquarium released 87 sea turtle hatchlings into the Gulf after they were rescued from a storm drain.

CLEARWATER, Fla. - After a health assessment by Clearwater Marine Aquarium staff, 87 sea turtle hatchlings “disoriented” after being found in a Florida storm drain, were released back into the ocean overnight on July 15.

According to the aquarium, the “hatchlings were brought to Clearwater Marine Aquarium for a health assessment, and when it was deemed they were all healthy, the team returned to the beach to release them that night.”

This video shows the health assessment processes and the baby turtles’ eventual return to sea.