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| Photo Credit: SeaWorld Orlando |
TITUSVILLE, Florida — Early this morning, SeaWorld Orlando Animal Rescue Team members returned a juvenile Kemp’s Ridley sea turtle to the Florida waters at Canaveral National Seashore following more than a year of extensive treatment and rehabilitation at SeaWorld Orlando.
The sea turtle was the final one to be returned of 24 that were originally brought to SeaWorld Orlando in December 2012 after being rescued from cold stress by the U.S. Coast Guard just off the coast of Cape Cod, Mass. As a result of the cold stress, the sea turtle developed severe pneumonia and suffered from tissue wounds on his neck and flippers.
Upon arrival at SeaWorld Orlando, the sea turtle underwent extensive treatment, including laser debridement for tissue wounds and a bronchoscopy to examine the lungs.
After being medically cleared for today’s return, the park’s Animal Rescue Team transported the juvenile sea turtle to Canaveral National Seashore, along Florida’s east coast, where the sea turtle was successfully returned to the ocean.
SeaWorld animal experts have helped more than 23,000 animals in need – ill, injured, orphaned and abandoned – for more than four decades. Since 1980, SeaWorld Orlando has rescued more than 1,700 turtles and returned more than 1,100.
So far this year, SeaWorld Orlando has rescued five sea turtles and returned seven.
If you see an injured marine animal, you can help by calling the FWC hotline at (888) 404-3922 or by dialing *FWC on a cellular device.
Video Credit: SeaWorld Orlando
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