By Ken Storey
Three sea turtles were recently returned to the wild after being rescued and rehabilitated by SeaWorld Orlando. Two Kemps Ridley sea turtles were brought to SeaWorld Orlando’s care facility on December 23, 2012 after being rescued off the coast of Cape Cod, Massachusetts by the U.S. Coast Guard. The Kemps Ridley turtles were both suffering from stress brought on by the cold weather.
A loggerhead sea turtle was rescued in February, 2013 in Port Canaveral Channel emaciated and with damage to its flippers and neck.
The turtles were each brought back to health and released at Canaveral National Seashore on June 4 by SeaWorld Orlando’s Animal Rescue Team. Prior to their return the turtles were weighed and measured; the Kemps Ridley sea turtles measured approximately 12 inches in length and weigh about 10 pounds; the loggerhead sea turtle measured 28 inches in length and weighed 98 pounds.
These turtles now bring the total that the park has rehabilitated and released up to 31 this year with another 8 still in rehab. Earlier this week the park also helped rescue and are rehabilitating a Sandhill Crane that was found with an arrow sticking out of it.
Three sea turtles were recently returned to the wild after being rescued and rehabilitated by SeaWorld Orlando. Two Kemps Ridley sea turtles were brought to SeaWorld Orlando’s care facility on December 23, 2012 after being rescued off the coast of Cape Cod, Massachusetts by the U.S. Coast Guard. The Kemps Ridley turtles were both suffering from stress brought on by the cold weather.
A loggerhead sea turtle was rescued in February, 2013 in Port Canaveral Channel emaciated and with damage to its flippers and neck.
The turtles were each brought back to health and released at Canaveral National Seashore on June 4 by SeaWorld Orlando’s Animal Rescue Team. Prior to their return the turtles were weighed and measured; the Kemps Ridley sea turtles measured approximately 12 inches in length and weigh about 10 pounds; the loggerhead sea turtle measured 28 inches in length and weighed 98 pounds.
These turtles now bring the total that the park has rehabilitated and released up to 31 this year with another 8 still in rehab. Earlier this week the park also helped rescue and are rehabilitating a Sandhill Crane that was found with an arrow sticking out of it.
All of these rescues come mere weeks before the release of Blackfish, a new documentary that criticizes the park's use of animals for entertainment with a focus on the life of Tilikum. None of the animals currently in rehab though are seen by park guest, the entire rehabilitation center is backstage with fully separate facilities for the injured animals. Over the past four decades SeaWorld has helped rescue and rehabilitate more than 22,000 animals in need.
