KSC-2010-1268

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - A wildlife officer offers assistance as an endangered green sea turtle is prepared for release into the waters of the Banana River at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The turtle was one of nearly 2,000 that were "stunned" by a recent drop in temperatures. 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