After a several months of rehabilitation after cold stress, three Kemp’s Ridley sea turtles were medically cleared and returned to Playalinda Beach at Canaveral Seashore this morning (June 27, 2013).
Two of the turtles had pneumonia and the third had a small wound to its carapace (shell). According to SeaWorld, “The Kemp’s Ridley sea turtles measured approximately 70 centimeters in length and weighed 7 – 10 pounds, all gaining approximately 3-6 pounds” while at SeaWorld.
The turtles were part of a group of 36 brought to SeaWorld Orlando by the U.S. Coast Guard on December 23, 2012 from Cape Cod, Massachusetts. Of the 36, this release marks a total of 34 of them being returned to the sea.
So far this year, SeaWorld Orlando has rescued 45 sea turtles and returned 35.
If you see an injured marine animal, you can help by calling the
FWC hotline at 1(888) 404-3922 or by dialing *FWC on a cellular device.
All turtle rescue footage produced by SeaWorld under FWS Permit Number MA7701911
SeaWorld Mommy 