MELVILLE, NY – In an effort to increase awareness about marine conservation, Canon U.S.A. Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, is excited to announce its ongoing support of the New York Marine Rescue Center and its conservation efforts surrounding cold stunned sea turtles. In connection with those efforts, the New York Marine Rescue Center released two sea turtles back into the ocean at Robert Moses State Park. Both turtles were brought to the rescue center’s facilities in Riverhead to receive treatment and rehabilitation.

The New York Marine Rescue Center is a rescue and rehabilitation organization that promotes marine conservation. Its mission is to preserve and protect the marine environment through conservation efforts including rescue, rehabilitation, education, and research. They are the primary responders for sick or injured seals, sea turtles, dolphins, porpoises, and small toothed whales, and maintain the only marine mammal and sea turtle rehabilitation center in New York State.

"We would like to thank Canon for its ongoing support of the New York Marine Rescue Center," said Danielle Perillo, director of administration and development, NYMRC. "Canon is generously supporting two satellite tags for our sea turtles, which provides the data necessary for us to be able to track these sea turtles and study their movements for conservation research."

The Atlantic Green turtle was found in Hallock State Park in Riverhead on December 14th. At the time of the initial physical, the turtle had a heart rate of 1 and was considered a class III cold stun. The Loggerhead turtle was found on Shelter Island near the South Ferry Boat Ramp by a patron on December 16th. At the time of the initial physical, the turtle had a heart rate of 3 and was considered a class II cold stunned. Now, after months of rehabilitation, both turtles are back to healthy weights, and back in the ocean where they belong.

"The sponsorship of the New York Marine Rescue Center is part of Canon U.S.A.’s ongoing corporate social responsibility initiative focused on environmental protection and conservation,” said Christine Sedlacek, senior director and general manager, Canon U.S.A., Inc. "Long Island is home to our Canon Americas headquarters, and we are honored to support this important initiative.”