WESTERLY, R.I. — A historic first will occur on the beaches of Westerly, R.I. Saturday morning when the Mystic Aquarium’s Animal Rescue Program releases two critically endangered Kemp’s ridley sea turtles.
According to the aquarium, it will be the first-ever documented turtle release in Rhode Island. The event takes place at 8:30 a.m. on Wuskenau Beach on National Sandcastle Day, as turtles named Dutton and Argo are set free in the sea.
To make the occasion even more memorable, the aquarium partnered with the South County Tourism Council and sand sculptor Greg Grady, Sr., who will sculpt a sea turtle out of sand as a public art exhibit, the release said.
“This collaboration aims to raise awareness of the important work being done by Mystic Aquarium while bringing art to the beach for visitors to enjoy,” the release said. “The sand sculpture not only celebrates the release of these sea turtles but also highlights the importance of protecting our environment and wildlife.”
Grady, Sr. is from Hampton, N.H. and has earned a stellar reputation as a professional sand sculptor and the organizer of the Atlantis Rising International Sand Sculpture Competition by the South County Tourism Council.
The aquarium said he is known for launching the first Solo Master Sand Sculpting Event in New England, which attracts master sand sculptors from all over the planet. The turtle sculpture will offer a glimpse into the type of sand art that future Atlantis Rising events will feature.
“Sand is not just a playground for humans; it’s a vital part of the life cycle of Kemp’s ridley sea turtles,” the release said. “These turtles depend on sandy beaches to lay their eggs, and without these critical nesting sites, their survival is at risk. Holding the release on National Sandcastle Day is a beautiful way to celebrate the importance of these habitats and inspire our community to protect and cherish our ocean planet. It’s a reminder that every grain of sand counts in our conservation effort.”
The turtles that will be released Saturday are part of a group of 16 Kemp’s ridley sea turtles admitted to the Animal Rescue Program last fall after being found cold-stunned on Cape Cod. According to the release, they were transferred to the aquarium from the National Marine Life Center for rehabilitation.
Under the aquarium’s care, the turtles underwent a personalized treatment plan that addressed their individual medical needs such as wounds, pneumonia and malnourishment. Dutton and Argo are ready to return to the ocean after seven months of intensive care.
The aquarium notes that Kemp’s ridley sea turtles encounter numerous threats in the wild, including entanglement, loss of nesting habitat, climate change, marine debris and the harvesting of eggs.
“The conservation impact of releasing even a single sea turtle is significant, as each turtle has the potential to lay hundreds to thousands of eggs throughout its lifetime,” the release said. “By giving Dutton and Argo a second chance, Mystic Aquarium is contributing to the survival of this critically endangered species.”
The aquarium and the South Country Tourism Council invite the public to join them at Wuskenau Beach for Saturday’s celebration. Parking will be free until 9:30 a.m. when the beach opens for the day.
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Dalton Zbierski is a digital content producer and writer at FOX61 News. He can be reached at dzbierski@FOX61.com.
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