Virginia Beach, Va. - The Virginia Aquarium released six Kemp's ridley sea turtles and one loggerhead turtle back into the ocean on Wednesday. The turtles had been accidentally hooked by fisherman at local piers and taken to the aquarium to be rehabbed.
Each year, the aquarium chooses a theme for the names of the turtles they rehab. This year's theme? Disney characters. Elsa, Minnie Mouse, Sven, Scar, Genie, and Pumbaa were released back into the Atlantic at Neptune Park.
So far this year the aquarium has rehabbed 21 turtles. Last year at this time they had rehabbed six.
People with the Virginia Aquarium think the increased number of sea turtle they're taking in is because of the outreach program they started a few years back. The aquarium has been working with the local fishing piers, posting signs and educating the public on what to do if they hook a turtle.
RELATED:
New signage will mark sea turtle nests in Virginia Beach
Coast Guard assists with sea turtle release off NC coast
Aquarium holds last sea turtle release of the year
Virginia Aquarium releases 3 rehabilitated sea turtles
Sea turtles released in the OBX
‘Voldemort’ the sea turtle rescued again just days after release
PHOTOS: “Shredder” is released at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront
Meet the Virginia Aquarium’s newest sea turtle, Captain Hook
Four rehabilitated sea turtles released on Sandbridge Shore
Two rehabbed sea turtles released at First Landing State Park
