Coast Guard helps release endangered sea turtle

GRAND ISLE, La. - Petty Officer 3rd Class Mitchell Lapeyrouse, a machinery technician stationed at Coast Guard Station Grand Isle, La. assists Mandy Tumlin, a biologist with the Louisiana Dept. of Wildlife and Fisheries (rear left), Cara Field, a veterinarian with the Audubon Institute and Michele Kelley coordinator with Audubon Institute's Louisiana Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle Rescue Program in the release of a Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle approximately 20 miles off the coast of Grand Isle, Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2009. The turtle was the first rescued marine animal to carry a satellite tracking device and be released in Louisiana. The 90 pound, adult, female turtle, along with three staff members of the Audubon Institute's volunteer Louisiana Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle Rescue Program, were transported to the release location by a Coast Guard 41-foot utility boat and crew from Coast Guard Station Grand Isle, La. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Tom Atkeson.