Rehabilitated Loggerhead Sea Turtle to be Released with Satellite Tracking Technology

The New York Marine Rescue Center will release an adult loggerhead sea turtle named Pegasus at Tiana Beach on Tuesday, September 23rd, marking the successful conclusion of a multi-state rehabilitation effort. Pegasus was originally reported stranded on June 4, 2024, at Assateague National Park in Maryland with buoyancy issues resulting from a suspected vessel strike. The turtle was initially treated at the National Aquarium in Baltimore where specialized weights were used to help her overcome floating challenges and regain muscle strength.

As Pegasus progressed in her recovery, she required a larger tank to better monitor her buoyancy and swimming abilities, leading to her transfer to the New York Marine Rescue Center in May 2025. The collaboration between these two organizations demonstrates the importance of inter-facility cooperation in marine animal rehabilitation. During her time at NYMRC, Pegasus continued her recovery under the care of dedicated marine specialists, ultimately reaching the point where she can safely return to her natural habitat.

Before her release, NYMRC Executive Director Maxine Montello will equip Pegasus with a satellite tag to track her post-release movements. This technology will provide valuable data on her behavior and movement patterns, contributing to broader conservation research. The tracking information gathered from Pegasus will help scientists understand the long-term outcomes of rehabilitated sea turtles and the challenges they face after returning to the wild. This data is particularly important for loggerhead sea turtles, which are listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act.

The release event, scheduled for 6 pm at 90 Dune Road in Hampton Bays, represents more than just the return of one animal to the ocean. It symbolizes the ongoing mission of marine rescue organizations to preserve and protect marine environments through conservation efforts including rescue, rehabilitation, education and research. The successful rehabilitation of Pegasus highlights the effectiveness of modern marine veterinary medicine and the critical role that organizations like the New York Marine Rescue Center play in marine conservation. As the primary responders for sick or injured marine animals in New York State, NYMRC maintains the only marine mammal and sea turtle rehabilitation center in the state, providing essential services for marine wildlife conservation. More information about their work can be found at https://www.nymarinerescue.org.

The partnership with the National Aquarium, accessible at https://www.aqua.org, underscores how collaborative efforts across state lines can enhance wildlife rehabilitation outcomes. This release contributes valuable information to the scientific community's understanding of sea turtle rehabilitation success rates and post-release survival. The data collected from Pegasus's satellite tag will inform future conservation strategies and help improve rehabilitation protocols for injured marine animals. Such initiatives are crucial for protecting vulnerable marine species and maintaining biodiversity in ocean ecosystems.