VIRGINIA BEACH — Members of the Virginia Aquarium Stranding Response Team will release three rehabilitated sea turtles Saturday along the shore behind Neptune’s Park.
The three turtles are named Piglet, Fuchsia and Indigo, according to an aquarium press release.
Piglet is a sub-adult loggerhead set turtle. Piglet was found near the Little Island Pier in Sandbridge in September 2016 and received thirteen mounts of rehab including treatment for pneumonia.
Fuchsia is a juvenile Kemp’s ridley sea turtle. Fuchsia was hooked in May at Buckroe Fishing Pier and admitted to the Marine Animal Care Center with a hook in its esophagus and flipper swelling. Fuchsia also had a wrist fracture.
Indigo is a juvenile Kemp’s ridley sea turtle who was hooked at Lynnhaven Pier in October.
The aquarium urges anyone who sees a stranded, entangled or hooked turtle to the call the 24-hour hotline at 757-385-7575. They also ask that in the event that you hook a turtle, bring it on to the pier or boat using a net and refrain from removing the hook yourself. If you cut the line, leave two feet attached. The turtle should be kept in a quiet, shaded area until the Stranding Response Team arrives.
