SeaWorld Orlando Returns 75 Sea Turtles

to Waters Offshore Jupiter, Florida

SeaWorld Orlando’s Animal Rescue Team returned 75 sea turtle hatchlings to waters off Florida’s east coast today. Ten green, three hawksbills, 61 loggerheads and one leatherback were transported by the Republic VII to a “weed line” about 14 miles offshore Jupiter, Fla.

A weed line is made up of sargassum sea weed grass and acts as protection and a source of food for the young turtles during the first two years of life.

Three of the 74 hatchlings had been receiving care at SeaWorld Orlando for the past several months. These hawksbill hatchlings were found by beachcombers and had likely been washed on shore due to harsh sea conditions. SeaWorld’s Animal Care Team assisted in providing medical and rehabilitative care, including feeding assistance, antibiotic treatment and radiographs, prior to today’s return.

Other juvenile turtles being returned today:

Nineteen hatchlings – 18 loggerheads and one leatherback – had been receiving care at the Volusia County Marine Science Center. The rare leatherback hatchling was brought to the facility after being found near New Smyrna Beach, Fla., with a severe curvature and inability to reach the sea on its own. The center provided medical care, including fluid injections and feeding assistance, for a few weeks until it was healthy enough to swim properly. Two of the eighteen loggerheads were brought in after being washed back to shore and the rest were newly hatched turtles that never made it back to the water on their own.
Ten green and forty three loggerhead hatchlings had been receiving care at the Loggerhead Marine Life Center. These young turtles never made it to the water after hatching and were recovered by beachcombers near Juno, Fla.

One by one, each turtle was carefully placed in the water near the sargassum sea weed line. Young turtles spend the two years of their life in the weed line. Jellyfish could be seen near the weed line, which are a main source of food for leatherbacks and can be a secondary source of food for other sea turtles as well.

Each turtle’s health was evaluated and all were medically cleared prior to today’s return.

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. SeaWorld animal experts have helped more than 22,000 animals in need – ill, injured, orphaned and abandoned – for more than four decades. So far this year, SeaWorld Orlando has rescued 52 turtles and returned 47, not including today’s return.

All turtle rescue footage produced by SeaWorld under FWS Permit Number MA7701911

If you see injured marine animal, you can help by calling the FWC hotline at 1(888) 404-3922 or by dialing *FWC on a cellular device.

SeaWorld Animal Rescue Team Reunites Family And Dolphin

SeaWorld Animal Rescue Team: Family Finds Newborn Dolphin, Reunites Six Months After Rescue at SeaWorld Orlando

Six months after finding an approximately five-day-old dolphin while boating in Florida waters, the family that alerted the appropriate authorities and stayed with the young calf until help arrived was reunited with the dolphin at SeaWorld Orlando.

During his rehabilitation at SeaWorld Orlando, the young dolphin has been treated for lungworms, pneumonia and other health-related issues but no longer needs to be on medication. His weight has also tripled while being in SeaWorld’s care, another positive indicator that his health is progressing.

SeaWorld Animal Rescue Team Background Info:

SeaWorld animal rescue team traveled to Three Sisters Island, in Volusia County, Fla. on May 20 to rescue the stranded newborn dolphin calf. Weighing slightly less than 35 pounds at the time, the male calf was found stranded in shallow waters under a mangrove. SeaWorld’s animal care experts believed the dolphin to be no more than five days old due to its size, the upright stature of its dorsal fin and the attached umbilical cord at the time of rescue. The youngster was probably separated from his mother before becoming stranded.

The successful rescue was made possible by a collaborative effort: the Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute initially checked on the state of the young calf, and SeaWorld was able to rescue it shortly after – following authorization by NOAA Fisheries Service.

SeaWorld’s animal rescue team is on call 24/7 to save and care for injured, orphaned or ill animals. This was the first bottlenose dolphin to be rescued this year

SeaWorld Animal Rescue Team Returns Two Rescued Sea Turtles

SeaWorld Animal Rescue Team from Orlando traveled to the Indian River Lagoon near Sebastian, Fla., to return two sea turtles that the park received earlier this year. Both turtles were rescued from the Indian River Lagoon near Sebastian, Fla. By the Sea Turtle Preservation Society and brought to SeaWorld for rehabilitation and care.

One, a 75-pound loggerhead, came to SeaWorld in May with a large J-hook stuck in its throat. Upon arrival, the turtle received a health assessment, and it was determined that it had been living with the large hook in its throat for 4 years. SeaWorld Orlando’s Aquarium Team administered antibiotics and made sure the underweight turtle was eating normally and gaining weight before being approved for today’s return.

A smaller green sea turtle was also returned today. Extremely emaciated and lethargic upon arrival in September, the six-pound turtle received antibiotics and was monitored to ensure the tiny animal was gaining weight until being cleared for return today.

For more than 45 years, SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment has helped animals in need — ill, injured and orphaned. More than 20,000 animals have been rescued by our experts.‪ SeaWorld’s Animal Rescue team is on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. So far in 2012, the SeaWorld Aquarium Team and SeaWorld Animal Rescue Team has rescued 35 turtles and returned 13.

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