The SeaWorld Orlando Animal Rescue Team is now caring for 72 cold-stunned Kemp’s Ridley sea turtles that arrived yesterday afternoon from Massachusetts.
The Coast Guard flew a total of 193 critically endangered Kemp’s Ridley sea turtles from Massachusetts to Orlando to assist with the overwhelming amount of stranded and endangered sea turtles impacted by last week’s arctic weather. The sea turtles arrived at the Orlando Executive Airport and were distributed to the SeaWorld Orlando team on-site as well as six other marine rehabilitation facilities for further care.
Ranging from less than one kilogram to 4.5 kilograms, the juvenile sea turtles were originally rescued by the New England Aquarium and volunteers of the Massachusetts Audubon Sanctuary at Wellfleet Bay. The sea turtles were re-warmed and stabilised by the New England Aquarium at their marine animal hospital in Quincy, Mass., until they were ready for transport.
Sea turtle experts at SeaWorld spent most of the last night conducting full health examinations on each turtle to determine their health status. The goal is to provide a stable environment for the sea turtles to regain their strength, and ultimately be returned as soon as possible.
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