Featured Image Credit: SeaWorld
Eight months ago, SeaWorld Orlando’s Rescue Team along with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), rescued an endangered loggerhead sea turtle from Tracking Station Park in Vero Beach. Ever since then, SeaWorld did their very best to help her to recover and rehabilitate her.
In August of 2016 the sea turtle, believed to be at least 20 years old, weighed a little under 300 pounds, and was also noticeably one of the largest sea turtles to ever be rehabilitated by the park’s team. When she was found, the loggerhead was lethargic and covered in algae, with injuries on her front flippers.
Her blood work after arriving at SeaWorld’s facilities also revealed another problem: parasites. But easily solved thanks to the team’s treating her with a combination of antibiotics and anti-parasitic medications to clear her systems.
After the team’s amazing efforts and a successful rehabilitation, this lucky loggerhead was ready for return! When she was released, she weighed just underneath 350 pounds, and was extremely ready to get back into the ocean!
She was released yesterday from Vero Beach, Florida, with the Orlando team, beach-goers, and onlookers alike cheering on her journey back home.
This is one of many success stories for SeaWorld with more than 29,000 animals that have been rescued by the expert animal rescue team, who are on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
If you see an injured or stranded marine animal, you can help by calling the FWC hotline at 888-404-3922 or by dialing *FWC on a cellular device.