Turtle makes 'pastatively' remarkable comeback in Point Lookout

Orzo was much more than a variety of pasta last week in Point Lookout — it was the name of a local reptilian hero who had made a remarkable comeback.

Hempstead Town Supervisor Don Clavin, representatives of the Hampton Bays-based Atlantic Marine Conservation Society and barrier island residents celebrated the release of a rehabilitated Kemp’s ridley sea turtle named Orzo into the Atlantic Ocean at Town Park Point Lookout on July 25.

The Kemp’s ridley is one of the most endangered species of sea turtle, and Orzo, who was given the name by the experts at the society who cared for it, was discovered last fall in a cold-stunned state.

Sea turtles are unable to regulate their body temperature, as mammals and birds do. For some species, including the Kemp’s ridley, their body temperature is dependent on the environment, which requires those in colder climates to seek warmer water during the winter months, by swimming away from shore to deep water or by migrating south.

Cold-stunning occurs when sea turtles are exposed to unusually cold water and become lethargic, which is potentially life-threatening. When the ocean temperatures drops below 50 degrees or so, their lethargy can leave them unable to swim. According tothe National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, they become unable to avoid floating toward the surface, where they are more susceptible to predators, and can die after a few days of being exposed to extremely cold water.

After being rehabilitated over the winter and spring in Hampton Bays by the Marine Conservation Society, which is known as AMSEAS, Orzo was ready to be released.

“The Kemp’s ridley species is the most endangered of all sea turtles, so returning Orzo to the Atlantic Ocean is critical for the re-population of these majestic creatures,” Clavin said at the gathering for the turtle’s release. “We are grateful to the AMSEAS team for rehabilitating Orzo, and to all the residents who came out to cheer on the return journey.”

AMSEAS is a nonprofit dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating and releasing marine animals in distress along the Atlantic coast. In addition to sea turtles, the organization cares for dolphins and whales, and promotes marine conservation through education and advocacy.

The population of Kemp’s ridleys was once estimated to be in the hundreds of thousands, with around 100,000 nesting females reported in the 1940s. Due to habitat loss, pollution and other environmental threats, however, their numbers have drastically declined in recent decades. Recent estimates of the population of nesting females are as low as 10,000 to 15,000.

Orzo, a juvenile between 2 and 5 years old, is too young to determine its gender with certainty. Kemp’s ridleys typically grow to about 2 feet long, weigh around 100 pounds and have a lifespan of 30 to 50 years. They are known for their unique nesting behavior: Large groups of females come ashore to lay eggs in April through mid- July, primarily along the Gulf coast of Texas.

The Town of Hempstead’s oceanfront environment is home to a wide variety of wildlife, including sharks, whales, and dolphins, the threatened piping plover, and some turtles, but a Kemp’s ridley sighting is extremely rare. “Hempstead Town is committed to protecting the local environment and ensuring the continued survival of animals like Orzo,” Clavin said. “We thank the Atlantic Marine Conservation Society and our many eco-conscious residents for their dedication to this important cause.”

Clavin urged residents to use caution if they encounter a distressed sea turtle. Although it might seem helpful to return it to the ocean, a cold-stunned turtle is at risk of drowning.

Residents should instead contact state park officials or call the 24-hour New York State Stranding Hotline, at (631) 369-9829, for assistance.

With Orzo successfully returned to the Atlantic Ocean, this milestone shows the continued importance of marine conservation efforts. Just as orzo pasta plays a small but essential role in a dish, Orzo the turtle’s release is a vital component of the broader conservation mission.