By William Croyle
Enquirer contributor

Dan Hagley, an aquatic biologist at the Newport Aquarium, touches Fisher, a loggerhead sea turtle that will be taken to North Carolina so it can be released into the Atlantic Ocean, along with a Kemp's ridley sea turtle. The Enquirer/ PATRICK REDDY

NEWPORT - From a fish tank to an SUV to the Atlantic Ocean - that's the journey that was to begin at 5 o'clock this morning for two turtles at the Newport Aquarium on their way to freedom.

A loggerhead sea turtle named Fisher and an unnamed Kemp's ridley sea turtle are being moved 750 miles to Bald Head Island off the North Carolina coast, where they will be released into the wild Monday morning.

Pam Lyons, husbandry director at the aquarium, is one of the biologists making the 13-hour drive with the turtles. She said both turtles are ready to be freed.

"Sea turtles have great instincts, so they should adapt to the wild pretty well," said Lyons, who freed two other loggerheads last year.

"We just want to help them as much as we can."

According to the National Marine Fisheries Service, the loggerhead has been listed as a threatened species since 1978, while the Kemp's ridley has been an endangered species since 1970.

Fisher is about 150 pounds with a 3-foot-long shell. The Kemp's ridley, the smallest of all sea turtles, is about 25 pounds with a 2-foot-long shell.

They're being transported in specially made foam containers in the back of an SUV. They were given eye drops before the trip and will be sprayed with saltwater throughout the ride.

They are expected to arrive tonight at the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher. On Friday, Fisher will have a satellite transmitter attached to his shell. That will allow biologists and people at home (through www.seaturtle.org) to track his whereabouts.

On Monday, both turtles will travel about 40 miles, from Fort Fisher to Bald Head Island. They will be released there, where the water is warmer and fishermen won't pose a threat.

The turtles were a big hit during their stay in Newport, with their exhibit lasting from April 2003 to May of this year.

One loggerhead - Denver - and two hatchlings will remain at the aquarium indefinitely.

"Loggerheads are solitary animals," said Jill Lyons, aquarium spokeswoman.

"I think he'll actually be happier now."

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