SeaWorld Orlando welcomes 12 Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtles as part of Multi-State Rescue Effort

The turtles arrived at SeaWorld Orlando on December 4, 2024 and are currently being cared for in the SeaWorld Orlando Rescue Center.

SeaWorld Orlando, one of the nation’s largest marine rescue organizations, has announced the successful arrival of 12 Kemp’s ridley sea turtles. The Kemp’s ridley sea turtles, the most endangered species of sea turtles, were rescued after becoming cold-stunned—a condition caused by sudden drops in water temperature.

The cold-stunned sea turtles were stranded due to a rapid drop in water temperature, a condition that can be life-threatening without immediate intervention.

SeaWorld Orlando will provide around-the-clock expert care to aid the turtles in their recovery and eventual return to the wild. The SeaWorld team is honored to play a vital role in the rehabilitation of these turtles, reinforcing its longstanding commitment to wildlife rescue and conservation.

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This was a multi-state, multi-organization rescue effort that underscores the critical importance of collaboration in marine animal conservation. The turtles now at SeaWorld were part of a coordinated rescue effort, which included transport of 33 cold-stunned sea turtles from Massachusetts to Georgia and Florida for continued rehabilitation.

This life-saving operation involved a collaboration between the New England Aquarium (NEAQ), the National Marine Life Center (NMLC) and dedicated partners. The transportation of these critically endangered animals was made possible through the generosity of Turtles Fly Too, whose volunteer pilots donated their time and expertise to ensure the turtles arrived safely.

For more information, visit SeaWorld.com.

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