AudubonInstitute.org

Audubon Nature Institute is a 501(c)3 not for profit that operates a family of museums and parks
dedicated to nature. These New Orleans facilities include: Audubon Park, Audubon Zoo, Wolden-
berg Riverfront Park, Audubon Aquarium of the Americas, Freeport-McMoRan Audubon Species
Survival Center, Entergy IMAX® Theatre, Audubon Center for Research of Endangered Species,
Audubon Wilderness Park, Audubon Insectarium and Audubon Nature Institute Foundation.

BP Oil Spill Turtles Released Into Gulf

2011-06-01

Audubon Nature Institute Sends Turtles Home
Final Group from BP Oil Spill Released Off Coast of Louisiana

June 1, 2011 New Orleans, LA

All endangered sea turtles rescued off the coast of Louisiana in the wake of the BP oil spill last year have been released into the Gulf of Mexico.

The 30 turtles, the last of nearly 200 nursed back to health by Audubon Nature Institute of New Orleans, were released into their habitat off the coast of Venice, Louisiana, on Friday, May 27, 2011.

Audubon Nature Institute’s Louisiana Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle Rescue Program (LMMSTRP) worked closely with federal and state agencies such as Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, along with zoos and aquariums across the country, to quickly create and operate a highly effective program at Audubon Aquarium’s Aquatics Center to handle the turtles injured in the Deepwater Horizon incident. Most turtles were healthy enough to be released late last year. The remaining thirty released on Friday spent the winter with Audubon, awaiting the best conditions to give them the optimal shot at survival.

While the sea turtles have all been released, the work of the rescue program continues. “Audubon marshaled an unprecedented level of resources last year to rescue and rehabilitate these animals,” said LMMSTRP stranding coordinator Suzanne Smith. “We are proud of our work. We know wildlife is always vulnerable throughout every year, and we stand ready to respond whenever we are needed.”