Environmental News Network - Texas A&M-Galveston Returns Rare Sea Turtle To Gulf Of Mexico

Details: By Texas A&M University; 19.Sep

Nearly two years after Tally the turtle washed up on a beach in the UK, scientists from the Gulf Center for Sea Turtle Research helped reintroduce her to her natural habitat.

Julie Swatson

Nearly two years after Tally the turtle washed up on a beach in the UK, scientists from the Gulf Center for Sea Turtle Research helped reintroduce her to her natural habitat.

The green and white flag of Wales is not a typical sight on Galveston’s beaches, yet one waved proudly in the sea breeze Tuesday as residents of the small nation in the southern United Kingdom said goodbye to an unlikely visitor.

For Tally, a rare Kemp’s ridley sea turtle who washed up on Wales’ Talacre beach in 2021, the festivities marked the end of a harrowing transcontinental voyage — almost 10,000 miles round-trip — as scientists from Texas A&M University at Galveston helped release the 6-to-7-year-old turtle back into her native habitat.

“It’s been an international effort,” said Dr. Christopher Marshall, a professor in the Department of Marine Biology and director of the Gulf Center for Sea Turtle Research, which oversaw Tally’s tagging and release. “We’re honored to be part of this group.”

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Texas A&M-Galveston Returns Rare Sea Turtle To Gulf Of Mexico