BABY TURTLE RETURNS TO THE SEA AS CROWD CELEBRATES<br />WITH VID<br />By SALONI MATHUR<br />Watch this beautiful video of this adorable baby turtle being cheered by a crowd of onlookers as it makes its way to the sea.<br />Robert Efford, CEO of Arc of Hilo, from Hawaii, USA, shot this heartwarming video of the Hawaiian green turtle’s journey across the black sands of Punaluhu<br />The crowd of tourists and residents was determined to help this tiny creature complete its journey back home, guiding and encouraging it throughout.<br />Robert said: “Hawaiian green turtles are rigorously protected by state law, and even touching one and posting it on social media may result in a steep fine.<br />“It crossed my mind that even filming this baby turtle’s journey carries its risk that I was getting too close.<br />“But paternal instincts took over among a throng of tourists and residents alike, excited to help this little dude successfully navigate the black sand dunes and crevices before him,<br />“His hatched shell was located a hundred feet up from the ocean’s edge in remote southern Big Island, Hawai’i.<br />“This little dude survived 90 days in his mother’s nest before escaping his egg home, and instinctively, will head to the ocean, where he will face another round of obstacles.<br />“However, if he has a fighting chance, it’s certainly here in Punaluhu, a small shallow bay that acts as a nursery for these little ones, as evidenced by the massive, mature green turtles sunning themselves on the black sand beach around us.”<br />ENDs
