Ep 24. Landlocked and Lost

In "Sea Rescue" season 2 episode 24, "Landlocked and Lost," viewers are taken on a journey to the middle of the United States, where a young sea turtle has found itself stranded hundreds of miles from its natural habitat.

The episode begins with a call to the Sea Turtle Assistance and Rescue (STAR) team in Kansas City, Missouri. A family has discovered a turtle in their backyard, but they quickly realize this is no ordinary turtle. With no access to the ocean in the landlocked city, they suspect the turtle may be in trouble and call STAR for help.

When the team arrives, they identify the turtle as a young Loggerhead sea turtle, a species that typically inhabits coastal regions of the southeastern United States. The team is puzzled as to how the turtle made its way so far inland and what to do to help it.

They quickly transport the turtle to the STAR facility, where they conduct a thorough examination. Although the turtle seems healthy on the surface, they are concerned about its long-term survival in a freshwater environment. Sea turtles require a combination of saltwater and freshwater for proper hydration and survival, and the team worries that the turtle may not be able to find the saltwater it needs to survive in the area.

While the team works to figure out a plan for the turtle's future, they discover a clue that helps solve the mystery of how the animal ended up in Kansas City. The turtle has a small identifier tag on its shell, indicating that it was previously rescued and released by a sea turtle rehabilitation facility in South Carolina. This information leads the team to believe that the turtle may have been caught up in the Gulf Stream, which could have carried it up the East Coast and then inland through a river system.

With the help of the South Carolina facility and their data on the turtle's previous journey, the team determines the best course of action is to release the turtle in the St. Johns River in Florida, where it will have access to both saltwater and freshwater on its journey back to its natural habitat.

However, getting the turtle from Kansas City to the St. Johns River presents a challenge. The team must transport the turtle nearly 1,000 miles, a journey that includes multiple flights, car rides, and even a stop at a hotel to ensure the turtle's health and safety. Along the way, they encounter unexpected challenges, including a cancelled flight and a storm that threatens to delay the journey even further.

Despite the obstacles, the team perseveres, and the episode ends with the turtle's successful release into the St. Johns River. As the turtle swims off into the open ocean, the team reflects on the importance of sea turtle conservation efforts and the work that goes into ensuring these incredible creatures have a chance to thrive in their natural habitats.

Overall, "Sea Rescue" season 2 episode 24, "Landlocked and Lost," is a heartwarming and educational look at the vital work being done to rescue and protect sea turtles around the world. From the dedicated members of the STAR team to the incredible resilience of the sea turtle species, this episode is sure to leave viewers feeling inspired and hopeful about the future of our planet's oceans.