29 Rehabilitated Baltimore-Themed Cold-Stunned Sea Turtles—and One Seal—Return to the Sea

 As Aquarium teams wrap up a long sea turtle rescue season, seal rescue season is now in full swing 

BALTIMORE, MD— The National Aquarium is celebrating a major milestone in its annual Animal Rescue efforts with the successful rehabilitation and release of 29 cold-stunned sea turtles that arrived at the Aquarium in December. These rehabilitated green and Kemp’s ridley sea turtles, released from Oak Island, NC, on April 14, represent the majority of this year’s intake of 40 turtles—one turtle passed upon arrival; ten are still receiving care. This year, however, many of the turtles remained with the National Aquarium’s Animal Rescue team far longer than necessary or desirable. 

“This was just such a cold winter all along the East Coast,” said Director of Animal Rescue Malia Hale. “It is always our priority to return rescued animals to their natural setting as soon as they are healthy enough to thrive, but, even though many of these turtles had recuperated to the point of safe release weeks or months ago, ocean temperatures as far south as Florida remained too chilly for their release.”  

Turtles like these who were rescued after cold stunning in Cape Cod, MA as water temperatures plummeted in the late fall often require treatment for complications such as respiratory difficulties, dehydration, malnutrition, injuries from predators or boat strikes, and various infections. Baltimore audiences may recall that this batch of turtles was named after Baltimore neighborhoods thanks to a public contest last November. Turtles named for contest winners Hampden, Canton and Federal Hill were included in this release, as well as Curtis Bay, Riverside, Ashburton, Barclay, Overlea, Locust Point and Jonestown, among others.

While these turtles were overstaying their welcome in the Aquarium’s rescue pool, seal rescue season began in earnest here in the mid-Atlantic region. The first seal rescued this season came into Aquarium care on February 16 after being spotted in distress in Cape Charles, VA on Valentine’s Day and rescued by partners at Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center.  This maternally dependent grey seal pup nicknamed Jetty—the first animal dubbed with a nautical name, kicking off the new naming theme that will carry Animal Rescue operations through the rest of 2026—displayed signs of respiratory distress and possible malnutrition. Through attentive, round-the-clock care, Jetty recovered quickly, gaining weight steadily, and learning to forage for fish and swim independently while in the care of Aquarium Animal Rescue and Animal Health teams. 

After reaching a satisfactory weight of more than 25 kilograms, Jetty was deemed clinically healthy by our partners at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and was released on April 9 at Assateague Island National Seashore.

Since Jetty’s arrival, the Aquarium’s Animal Rescue team has also admitted three additional seals to the Animal Care and Rescue Center (ACRC) in Jonestown for long-term treatment. Crew, a harp seal rescued from North Carolina’s Outer Banks, has made strong progress in rehabilitation and is nearing release pending final medical clearance. After arriving dehydrated and with a heavy parasite burden, Crew has responded well to treatment and is now eating consistently and gaining weight. 

Two additional grey seal pups, Boom and Barge, are also now receiving treatment at the ACRC.  In addition to the four seals who have received treatment thus far, several other animals around the region have been monitored or reported for rescue, including three seals that passed naturally as a result of their injuries after being admitted but before they could receive necessary care. 

Just as waters remained too cool for turtle release, this year’s marine mammal stranding season has been a bit unusual due to weather, with increased cases of distressed animals reported farther south than usual. Experts believe shifting winter conditions, including ice patterns, may have contributed to these changes. The Aquarium continues to work closely with partners across regional stranding networks to monitor patterns and respond to animals in need.

To be cleared for release, each seal must reach a healthy weight of around 25 kilograms and fully recover from any injuries or infections. For pups of this age and size, that typically requires at least two-to-three months of rehabilitation. The Aquarium encourages the community to support marine life by reporting stranded animals to the National Aquarium’s Animal Stranding Hotline at (410) 576-388while maintaining a safe distance from wildlife on beaches.

National Aquarium

The National Aquarium is a private, nonprofit organization whose mission is to connect people with nature to inspire compassion and care for our ocean planet. Our compelling exhibits, science-based education programs and hands-on field initiatives engage more than 1.2 million people annually. One of the top three aquariums in the United States and the largest paid cultural attraction in Maryland, the Aquarium generates more than $430 million annually in economic impact to the state. For more information on the National Aquarium, visit www.aqua.org.

National Aquarium Animal Rescue

The National Aquarium’s Animal Rescue program is responsible for responding to live stranded marine mammals and sea turtles along the nearly 3,190 miles of Maryland coast and works with stranding partners through the Greater Atlantic Region Stranding Network to help respond to, rescue and release animals year-round. Should you encounter a seal on the beach, it may not be sick, only resting. If you do see a seal, do not touch or approach it, and keep a distance of 150 feet—about the length of three school buses. Please note your location and time of day and immediately contact the National Aquarium’s Stranded Animal Hotline at 410-576-3880. National Aquarium seal stranding and response activities are conducted under NMFS Permit #SA-GAR-2025-006. Sea turtle rescue and rehab activities are photographed under USFWS Permit #TES70312D.