An endangered Kemp’s ridley sea turtle, discovered nearly a year ago 5,000 miles away from its native habitat, has been released back into the Gulf of Mexico, the Houston Zoo announced. The turtle, named Boeier after the boat that rescued it, was accidentally caught in the nets of a commercial fishing vessel off the coast of the Netherlands. It is believed to have been carried away by ocean currents before its discovery.
The U.S. National Fish and Wildlife Service facilitated Boeier’s return to its native waters. Following its rescue, the turtle was transported to the Rotterdam Zoo, where it received medical care and rehabilitation. Boeier was then flown to Houston, arriving on October 29.
After undergoing medical examinations and a period of acclimation, the healthy sea turtle was released into the Gulf of Mexico from Stewart Beach in Galveston on November 4. The Kemp’s ridley sea turtle, native to the coastal waters of the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean, is the smallest sea turtle species, measuring 27-32 inches in length and weighing between 75-100 pounds, as noted by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
The Kemp’s ridley sea turtle has been listed as an endangered species since 1970.
