KSC-2010-1267

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Jim Lyon, biological science technician with the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, carries a green sea turtle toward the waterline of the Banana River at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. A recent cold snap left this turtle and nearly 2,000 others "stunned" and in need of help. Many of the turtles were rescued from the Mosquito Lagoon, with others coming from the Indian River Lagoon and Cocoa Beach. Biologists, environmentalists, wildlife experts and other volunteers joined forces with a massive rescue effort at the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, where the turtles were identified, examined and transported to rehabilitation facilities throughout Florida and South Georgia. The animals stayed at these facilities until local waters warmed up to safe temperatures. Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder