Georgia shelters baby sea turtles as Hurricane Irma threatens marinelife center
Some of Hurricane Irma’s tiniest evacuees are being housed at the Georgia Aquarium.
The aquarium has welcomed more than 50 sea turtles from a marinelife center in Florida, including loggerhead, green and leatherback turtle hatchlings, as well as adult green and loggerhead sea turtles, the aquarium announced.
The turtles will remain in Georgia until it is determined that they can safely return to their home at the Loggerhead Marinelife Center just north of West Palm Beach. The center is one of 12 sea turtle rehabilitation facilities in the state.
“Georgia Aquarium is proud to offer a temporary home and uninterrupted care to these rescued turtles and to work collaboratively with Loggerhead Marinelife Center,” the Georgia Aquarium said in a statement.
This isn't the first time the aquarium has sheltered Floridian turtles from a storm. In 2016, it also took in turtle evacuees during Hurricane Matthew.
About the Author
Meris Lutz is a contributing writer covering climate, the environment and the economy. She is particularly interested in stories that explore the intersections between climate change and labor, markets, health, biodiversity, government transparency and public access to natural resources.
