Dozens of endangered sea turtles released off the coast of Georgia

On Jekyll Island off the Georgia coast, some sea turtles and people who care about their survival marked a small victory on Thursday. The Georgia Sea Turtle Center teamed up with volunteers from Northeast aquariums and conservation groups to move 33 Kemp’s ridley sea turtles and one green sea turtle to warmer southeastern waters where they can thrive. John Yang reports.

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  • John Yang:

    And finally tonight, a small victory for some sea turtles and people who care about their survival.

  • John Yang (voice-over):

    On Jekyll Island, off the coast of Georgia, a very special delivery. Wrapped in towels in old banana boxes, nearly three dozen sea turtles begin to stir.

  • Woman:

    Oh, you waking up? Good morning.

  • John Yang (voice-over):

    They'd been found in frigid New England waters where every winter, the cold-blooded creatures are washed up on shore, weak, lethargic and disoriented, a condition known as "cold-stunned."

    The Georgia Sea Turtle Center on Jekyll Island teamed with volunteers from Northeast aquariums and conservation groups to move 33 Kemp's ridley sea turtles and one green sea turtle, both species on the endangered list, to the warmer southeastern waters where they can thrive.

    Down to the sea they went, carried by volunteers who gently set them in the water, sending them out to their new home, carrying with them the hopes of recovery for these endangered creatures.

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