HONOLULU (KHON2) — It wasn’t your typical day in Waikiki as beachgoers witnessed the release of a rehabilitated sea turtle off the waters of Kaimana Beach.
Friends, family and visitors joined the Hawaii Marine Animal Response in a special moment to release the latest rehabilitated sea turtle.
The sea turtle was reported to HMAR in early March after being entangled in fishing line from the front flipper to the mouth. The turtle had also ingested some of the fishing line as well.
HMAR brought the honu to the care center and later cleared it to return back to the wild.
“It takes a big team,” said Taylor Prostor, Animal Care Manager. “We have some awesome staff partners, volunteers, interns.”
“So a lot of hands kind of went into helping this turtle get the treatment it needed so I think it’s cool for everyone to be here to see him swim away and go on and live the rest of his happy life.”
Prostor added that HMAR relies on the public to call and let them know when marine animals need assistance.
“We rely on the public to call these things in so we know where to go and who needs help.”
Anyone who sees a marine animal or seabird in trouble should not hesitate to call the statewide HMAR hotline at (888) 256-9840.
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More information can also be found on HMAR’s website.