These rescued sea turtles are ready to return home

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=juETm47tfcc

Loggerhead sea turtles “Lightning Bolt” and “Sunny” will soon be released back into the ocean after eight months of rehabilitation at New England Aquarium’s sea turtle hospital in Quincy.

The turtles were suffering from life-threatening hypothermia when they were rescued on Cape Cod last December, according to the aquarium’s blog. They were also “emaciated, dangerously dehydrated, and plagued with a persistent pneumonia,” the aquarium said. Both turtles have since gained 40 percent more body weight during their time at the hospital.

The endangered loggerheads are named for their relatively large heads. Lightning Bolt, who weighs 70 pounds, and 50-pound Sunny are probably about 5 years old, a senior biologist told The Cape Cod Times. Adult loggerheads weigh on average 250 to 300 pounds.

Aquarium scientists are preparing the pair’s shells for potential satellite tags to track their travels and behavior. The pair will be released off West Dennis in the next few weeks, according to the Times.