SeaWorld Caring for Juvenile Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtle

On January 11, 2015, SeaWorld Orlando’s Animal Rescue Team received an endangered, juvenile Kemp’s Ridley sea turtle that was found floating with its right flipper entangled in a small orange buoy and large amounts of seaweed. The four-pound, juvenile sea turtle was rescued by the Sea Turtle Preservation Society (STPS) in Melbourne, Florida, who removed the entanglement and brought the sea turtle to SeaWorld Orlando for further care.

Upon its arrival at the park, the sea turtle received antibiotics and fluids.  Earlier today, the team took radiographs to further examine the sea turtle’s injured (and swollen) right flipper to determine if it sustained any bone injuries, which it didn't. The exam concluded that there were no bone injuries. The team is cautiously optimistic that with continued antibiotics and fluid therapy that the sea turtle will fully recover.

This is the fourth sea turtle that the SeaWorld Orlando Animal Rescue Team has helped rescue so far in the new year.  In collaboration with the government and other members of 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 back to their natural environment. SeaWorld animal experts have helped more than 24,000 animals in need – ill, injured, orphaned and abandoned – for more than five decades. 

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