LISTEN: Volunteers gathered at Jekyll Island’s South Beach to release dozens of endangered sea turtles back to water. GPB's Sofi Gratas explains.

Volunteers including pilot Terry Carbonell transfer turtles from transport vans down to the beach on Jekyll Island.

Volunteers including pilot Terry Carbonell transfer turtles from transport vans down to the beach on Jekyll Island.

Credit: Sofi Gratas/GPB News

This week, Jekyll Island saw the largest release of rehabilitated sea turtles in the island's recorded history. 

On the island's South Beach, the sky cleared just in time for the transport and release of 33 Kemp’s ridley sea turtles — plus one green sea turtle — flown in from New York, Connecticut and Massachusetts. Both species are endangered. 

In a flurry of activity, the turtles were transported from light aircrafts into vans and down to the beach, placed on the sand in groups of four. 

Volunteers prepare to release rehabilitated Kemp's ridley sea turtles on Jekyll Island, flown in from New York, Massachusetts and Connecticut. Every year when water in the North Atlantic becomes too cold, many turtles are stunned, disoriented and washed up onshore.

Volunteers prepare to release rehabilitated Kemp's ridley sea turtles on Jekyll Island, flown in from New York, Massachusetts and Connecticut. Every year when water in the North Atlantic becomes too cold, many turtles are stunned, disoriented and washed up onshore.

Credit: Sofi Gratas/GPB News

Every year when water in the North Atlantic becomes too cold, many turtles are stunned, disoriented and wash up onshore. 

After time spent in rehabilitation facilities in the Northeast, they’re ready to hit the waters here, which are warm enough this time of year for the turtles to thrive. 

Volunteers with Turtles Fly Too and the Georgia Sea Turtle Center prepare to release rehabilitated and endangered Kemp's ridley sea turtles into the waters off Jekyll Island.

Volunteers with Turtles Fly Too and the Georgia Sea Turtle Center prepare to release rehabilitated and endangered Kemp's ridley sea turtles into the waters off Jekyll Island.

Credit: Sofi Gratas/GPB News

Along with Jekyll Island’s Georgia Sea Turtle Center, volunteers came from the New England Aquarium, Mystic Aquarium, Atlantic Marine Conservation Society and New York Marine Rescue Center to help with the release. 

Terry Carbonell is a pilot with Turtles Fly Too, an organization that shuttles sea turtles all over the country for events like this. During the day’s event, she helped two turtles into the ocean. 

“It’s just so amazing,” Carbonell said. “I’ve flown them. You’ve seen them sick, and now, that one especially, was just so healthy he was ready to go.” 

Pilot with Turtles Fly Too, Terry Carbonell, celebrates a successful release of a Kemp's ridley sea turtle into the waters off Jekyll Island.

Pilot with Turtles Fly Too, Terry Carbonell, celebrates a successful release of a Kemp's ridley sea turtle into the waters off Jekyll Island.

Credit: Sofi Gratas/GPB News

“We try not to get attached, obviously,” Rehabilitation Manager Rachel Overmeyer said. “But releases are just so special because it's what we put our blood, sweat and tears into. … Today's release went really well.”

A transponder under each of the turtles skin ensures the groups on Jekyll can help them in case they’re caught or stranded again.

Tags: sea turtles  georgia coast  Jekyll Island  endangered animals  Georgia  Savannah  Brunswick