University of New England

Endangered sea turtle returned to its ocean home in Virginia following 5 months of rehab at UNE's Marine Science Center

“Chomper,” the rescued loggerhead sea turtle who had been rehabilitating for five months at the University of New England’s Marine Science Center, was released June 29, 2006 off the coast of Virginia. Following several days of observation at the Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center the turtle was deemed healthy and returned to its ocean home via Cape Charles at the mouth of Chesapeake Bay. Chomper was tagged for future identification.

Chomper during his stay at UNE

According to Aquarium officials, these waters are well known to sea turtles, where they summer and enjoy a warm water environment abundant in natural food.
 
During its rather lengthy stay at UNE Chomper added 21 pounds to its arrival weight of 90 pounds, eating a rich diet of herring, squid and shrimp. The turtle was rescued from freezing to death in a Cape Cod Bay in the late fall of 2005, transported to the New England Aquarium in Boston, then shipped to UNE for rehabilitation. Chomper recuperated in a specially built 13,000-gallon tank located at the Marine Animal Rehabilitation Center in UNE’s Marine Science Center. The fairly large turtle earned its name by its propensity to bite. But its sex remained a mystery, even after five months of captivity. UNE rehab specialists noted that it’s very difficult to determine whether young turtles are male or female.

Cold-shocked turtles
There are five species of sea turtles in the North Atlantic Ocean and all are on the Endangered Species list. Migratory animals, loggerhead turtles are cold-blooded reptiles that often suffer extreme hypothermia when water temperatures drop in northern climes, like Cape Cod Bay. Cold-shocked turtles are often found on the surface of the water floating listlessly and may suffer from infections, emaciation, and frost bite. They are also vulnerable to boat collisions.

UNE’s Marine Animal Rehabilitation Center is the only facility in Northern New England licensed by the National Marine Fisheries Service to rehabilitate sea turtles.

(Press release issued June 29, 2006)