SeaWorld Orlando Animal Rescue Team Helps Out

The SeaWorld Orlando Animal Rescue Team is now caring for 72 cold-stunned Kemp’s Ridley sea turtles that arrived earlier this week 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 two to 10 pounds, 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 stabilized 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 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 as soon as possible. For more than 50 years, SeaWorld has helped animals in need — ill, injured and orphaned. More than 24,000 animals have been rescued by their experts.