After storms, broken plane, rescued turtles ride the bus

BOSTON — Bad weather, a damaged propeller and an unscheduled stop in Tennessee complicated the rescue of 30 critically endangered Kemp’s ridley sea turtles that were among hundreds found on the beaches of Cape Cod, stunned and almost killed by falling ocean temperatures. A plane carrying the New Orelans-bound turtles had to change course and refuel twice because of storms and strong winds. A rock kicked up during takeoff after the second refuelling, in Chattanooga, damaged the propeller and grounded the plane. On Thanksgiving, the turtles were loaded onto a shuttle bus borrowed from the airport and driven the rest of the way.