Jorge the Turtle Freed after Four Decades in Captivity in Argentina

Jorge the sea turtle, who had been in captivity in Argentina for almost 40 years, has finally been released back into the ocean. After being caught by fishers in 1984, he was taken to an aquarium in Mendoza where he spent 38 years. Animal protection activists had been advocating for his release for a long time, as the conditions at the aquarium were not favorable for his development. Following a rehabilitation program to reintroduce him to the ocean environment, Jorge was released into the sea near Mar del Plata, carrying a satellite tracker for monitoring his movements.

Jorge is a Loggerhead sea turtle, an endangered species, and is expected to migrate to the coasts of Uruguay and southern Brazil. The readaptation process included aiding him in developing his hunting skills by providing crabs and small rays. The release of Jorge after decades in captivity is a significant step towards his freedom and conservation efforts for sea turtles in the region.