Sea Turtles Rescued In NJ Get Free Flight To NC For Further Rehab

BRIGANTINE, N.J. (CBS) -- Two sea turtles have been receiving care by the Marine Mammal Stranding Center for over a month now. Their rehab will now move to a new phase which requires them to head south.

The turtles will be going to North Carolina.

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Their destination was Beaufort, N.C., where they were taken to various facilities that specialize in the care of sea turtles. Their journey was one that took a lot of steps and a lot of help from different people.

The Stranding Center, the Brigantine Fire Department, Castle Aviation and Douglass Industries all played a role in getting the turtles to the Atlantic City International Airport for their flight. Castle Aviation heard that the Marine Mammal Stranding Center was trying to come up with a safe way to transport the turtles and they generously reached out to offer their services. The transport of the turtles was an expense that the center could not afford, especially considering the massive cost of housing, caring for and feeding the 140 pound and 280 pound turtles.

The 280 pound turtle was found in late September, struggling in the surf in Avalon. The center says that she has made great progress. She is estimated to be about 50-years-old and they are hopeful that she will eventually be healthy enough to be released back into the wild.

The other turtle was rescued near the Oyster Creek Nuclear Plant in August. The center said she suffered wounds that appeared to show she was hit by a boat. She suffered partial paralysis to her rear flippers. Her fate will likely be to wind up in a zoo or aquarium due to her injuries.