SeaWorld Performs Surgery on Rescued Green Sea Turtle

On September 4, a veterinarian performed surgery on a rescued sea turtle, removing fishing hooks from its throat and eye socket. The sea turtle was discovered by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, an organization committed to managing fish and wildlife resources for their long-term well-being and the benefit of people. The turtle, a juvenile green sea turtle weighing approximately 9 pounds, was rescued near Vero Beach, Florida and brought to SeaWorld Orlando.

The turtle underwent surgery on that same day following x-rays and blood work evaluation. According to the veterinarian who performed the procedure, Dr. Michelle Davis, both of the fishing hooks were successfully removed – one from its esophagus and one from the eye socket. The turtle is doing well following the procedure, and its health will continue to be monitored over the next several weeks by the Aquarium department at SeaWorld Orlando.

So far this year, SeaWorld Orlando has rescued 33 sea turtles. In collaboration with the government and other members of accredited stranding networks, SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment operates one of the world’s most respected programs to rescue ill and injured marine animals, with the goal to rehabilitate and return to the waters.

What you can do: to help protect this endangered species, and other sea turtles, make sure fishing line and trash is disposed of properly. When fishing, use new "circle" hooks - sea turtles are less likely to swallow the circle-shaped hooks than traditional J-shaped, which cause suffocation or internal bleeding when swallowed.

Green sea turtles are an endangered species that normally lay over 100 eggs per clutch. To report someone disturbing a sea turtle nest or an injured, dead or harassed sea turtle call 888-404-3922 or dial  *FWC on a cellular device. For more than 40 years, SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment has helped animals in need - ill, injured and orphaned.  More than 23,000 animals have been rescued by our experts.‪ SeaWorld’s animal rescue team is on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Learn more about our passion for conservation and animal welfare at SeaWorldCares.com.

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