SeaWorld Returns Two Sea Turtles to Florida Waters

On the morning of July 8, two endangered green sea turtles were returned to the Atlantic Ocean at Sebastian Inlet State Park by the SeaWorld Orlando Animal Rescue Team. The first turtle, weighing about 13.2 pounds arrived at SeaWorld Orlando on February 21, 2015, after being rescued from a Sebastian Inlet State Park beach. Upon intake, the turtle only weighed a total of 8.5 pounds and was found to be surffering from severe malnutrition and lethargy.

The second turtle, weighing 5.8, pounds arrived for treatment on May 26, 2015, after being found stranded on a Brevard County beach. Upon intake the turtle was slightly underweight at 4.3 pounds and received antibiotics to treat a bacterial infection.

As part of treatment, both turtles received a balanced diet, increased vitamin intake, and daily care by SeaWorld Orlando’s veterinary and zoological staff.

After a positive trend in health and several medical tests, the decision was made that both animals were ready to be returned. The SeaWorld Animal Rescue Team works closely with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to determine when a rescued animal can be returned and where.

So far in 2015, SeaWorld Orlando has rescued 49 sea turtles, double the average for this time of the year, and returned 70. 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 26,000 animals have been rescued by the expert animal rescue team that is on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

If you see an injured marine animal, you can help by calling the FWC hotline at (888) 404-3922 or by dialing *FWC on a cellular device. To learn more about SeaWorld’s commitment to animals and the environment, visit SeaWorldCares.com.

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