A sea turtle endangered species that was found about a year ago about 5,000 miles from its native waters has been released into the Gulf of Mexicoaccording to the Houston Zoo.
The Kemp’s ridley sea turtle, named Boeier after the ship that rescued it, was found off the coast of Holland after becoming trapped in the net of a commercial fishing boat.
The turtle was taken to the Rotterdam Zoo, where it was rehabilitated, and was eventually transferred to Houston, where it arrived on October 29, the zoo said.
After medical examinations and an acclimatization process, Boeier was released on November 4 at Stewart Beach in Galveston, in the Gulf of Mexico.
The olive ridley sea turtle is native to the coastal waters of the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean and is the smallest among sea turtles, measuring 27 to 32 inches in length and weighing 75 to 100 pounds, according to the Department of Parks and Texas Wildlife.
The turtle was placed on the endangered species list in 1970, according to the department.