SeaWorld are pleased to announce the safe arrival of 24 of world’s most endangered sea turtles following a life-saving flight from Massachusetts for critical rehabilitation by SeaWorld experts. These critically debilitated, cold-stunned turtles are representative of the many sea turtles impacted by the region’s oncoming winter weather.
The 24 juvenile sea turtles were originally rescued by the New England Aquarium and volunteers of the Massachusetts Audubon Sanctuary at Wellfleet Bay on Cape Cod. The sea turtles were re-warmed and stabilised until they were ready for transport.
Sea turtle experts at SeaWorld spent much of the night conducting full health examinations on each turtle to determine health status. The goal is to provide a stable environment for the sea turtles to regain their strength, and ultimately be returned to the water as soon as possible.
HISTORY REPEATING:
The event shows history is repeating itself, as this ‘cold-stunning’ of turtles also happened in November 2014. Again, SeaWorld Orlando helped care for 72 cold-stunned Kemp’s Ridley sea turtles rescued in New England under similar circumstances. All of these turtles were cared for and successfully returned to warmer ocean waters once they were rehabilitated.
On 16th January 2016, the nationally broadcast Sea Rescue will air its 100th original episode featuring the record-breaking turtle cold stunning event in New England from 2014. This special episode showcases the partnership between SeaWorld and other organisations coming together to save endangered turtles.
For more than 50 years, SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment has helped animals in need – ill, injured, orphaned or abandoned, with the goal of returning them to the wild. More than 27,000 animals have been rescued by the expert animal rescue team that is on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
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