Caitlin Crosby holds Catherine, an endangered Kemps Ridley sea turtle rescued in mid-August near St. Catherines Island.Catherine was rescued by Georgia Southern researchers after being discovered by a local boater. She had swallowed a fishing hook and was brought to Georgia Southern faculty, students and researchers on the Island, who then cared for her under the direction of the Georgia Sea Turtle Center Director and Veterinarian Dr. Terry Norton.Researchers,including faculty and students,from Georgia Southern Universitys Sea Turtle Research Program have been a partofsea turtle conservation efforts as new nesting numbers have set records this year along the Georgia and Florida coasts.Catherinewastransported to the Georgia Sea Turtle Center on Jekyll Island, where she underwent surgery to remove the hook. After a full recovery,she was ready to be released into the ocean.Catherine and other sea turtles were released by the Georgia Sea Turtle Center on Friday at Great Dunes Park in Jekyll Island.
Caitlin Crosby holds Catherine, an endangered Kemps Ridley sea turtle rescued in mid-August near St. Catherines Island.