FIRST PHOTO: MOC Marine Institute Conservation Program Technician Darby Ryon (left) and Dr. Paul McCurdy wade into the surf at Kealia Beach Saturday afternoon to release a Hawaiian green sea turtle nicknamed “Maggie” back into the wild after an 11-week rehabilitation at the Maui Ocean Center. The sub-adult turtle was entangled with fishing line when it was recovered by a MOCMI in-water response team off Charlie Young Beach. McCurdy said most of the more than 1,000 sea turtles the institute has rescued and released since 2019 have had less-invasive procedures than Maggie, who had to have her left front flipper amputated due to the severity of her wounds. He said turtle amputees adapt surprisingly well and predicted Maggie would go on to live a “normal” life. The release was authorized by NOAA permit 21260 and USFWS permit TE-72088A-3.

SECOND and THIRD PHOTO: Maggie the three-flippered Hawaiian Green Sea Turtle heads to deeper water Saturday afternoon at Kealia.