Two rehabilitated sea turtles were released back into the ocean off Cape Cod, Massachusetts, on Tuesday, September 6, according to the New England Aquarium.

The turtles, named Himalayan Salt and Turmeric, were found “cold-stunned” in the area in December 2021 and were transported to facilities for treatment, the aquarium said.

Himalayan Salt received a round of antibiotics as treatment, but Turmeric had a more complicated road to recovery and had to undergo surgery, according to the statement.

“We had the opportunity to help this turtle survive but also learned a lot in the process that can help us with similar cases in the future,” Adam Kennedy, Director of Rescue and Rehabilitation at the Aquarium, said. “The Aquarium operates one of the largest sea turtle rescue and rehabilitation programs in the world, and we can still learn and grow in ways that make a stronger team to provide the best care.”

This footage shows spectators gathered on a beach in Cape Cod to witness the release and watch the turtles swim back into the ocean.

The aquarium said this is the final local release of the summer. Credit: New England Aquarium via Storyful

Video transcript

[APPLAUSE]

- This is a Kemp's ridley sea turtle.

- The smallest?

- These guys are critically endangered, [INAUDIBLE] flipper turtles out there. They do well. I'm not sure if it's a male or female.

[INDISTINCT CHATTER]

[APPLAUSE]

[INDISTINCT CHATTER]

- This is a Kemp's ridley sea turtle

- The smallest?

- These guys are critically endangered. [INAUDIBLE] flipper turtles out there. They do well. I'm not sure if it's a male or female.

[INDISTINCT CHATTER]