As the former head of the Martha’s Vineyard Tick Borne Illness Reduction Initiative, Richard Johnson spent years tracking, studying and worry about ticks and tick-borne illnesses. Now he is focused on turtles.

A dead leatherback turtle washed ashore on Red Beach in Aquinnah on Saturday, the first sea turtle stranding across the Cape and Islands in 2025.

For years, scientists have been surveying the spotted turtle population on Noman’s Land. One thing has stood out to them: a significant number of adult turtles have deformed legs when compared to their mainland compatriots.

Six sea turtles have washed up on Vineyard shores this season as water temperatures around the region begin to drop. 

Island scientists are trying to find out why the three sea turtles have washed up on Vineyard beaches so far this summer.

Sea turtle rehabilitators decided to spice things up this year.