- Non-profit group Turtles Fly Too provided air transportation
for ten non-releasable turtles from the Cayman Turtle
Centre to SeaWorld Rescue in Orlando in April
2022
- With more than 40 years of experience with sea turtles,
SeaWorld has cared for the group since this April as part of a
routine 90-day U.S. quarantine
- The turtles were part of a group of yearlings originally
raised at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA) Fisheries Galveston Laboratory in
Texas and sent to the Cayman
Turtle Centre in 1980 as part of an experimental captive breeding
program
- With the program ended and this group deemed non-releasable
by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and NOAA Fisheries, the
turtles will take up permanent residence at zoos and aquariums
around the U.S. to help teach visitors about sea turtles and
conservation
ORLANDO,
Fla., Aug. 16, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- SeaWorld is
proud to partner with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS),
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries,
and the conservation groups Cayman Turtle Centre and Turtles Fly
Too, to help ten endangered Kemp's
Ridley sea turtles as part of an international conservation
effort. The adult sea turtles, eight males and two females,
were raised at the Cayman Turtle Centre as part of an experimental
captive breeding program that began in 1980 and ended many years
ago. These turtles were part of a group of yearlings that
were sent as part of a trial effort to determine whether the
species would successfully breed in captivity. At that time, the
wild Kemp's Ridley population was
at risk of functional extinction due to hunting and being
unintentionally caught in shrimp trawl fisheries. Fortunately, the
Kemp's Ridley sea turtle
population began growing as international conservation efforts to
reduce their main threats were set in place. As the wild population
increased, the project was concluded, and these turtles are the
last remaining of this group.
USFWS and NOAA Fisheries evaluate the release of sea turtles on
a case-by-case basis and consider their history in human care,
potential disease risks to the wild population, review of cases
involving similar situations and consultation with sea turtle
experts. After careful consideration, there are significant
concerns that a combination of factors would jeopardize these
turtles' ability to survive in the wild. These factors
include strong habituation to humans and the lengthy duration in
which they have been in human care, which may disrupt natural
behaviors. NOAA and USFWS deemed these turtles non-releasable into
the wild due to their lengthy time in human care.
These ten turtles were flown by Turtles Fly Too in April 2022 to SeaWorld in Orlando where they have been receiving expert
care during a mandatory 90-day quarantine. The turtles are now
headed to several zoos and aquaria across the United States approved by USFWS to provide
long term care for these endangered species. Once settled
into their permanent homes, these turtles will become Animal
Ambassadors to educate the public about conservation, the
Kemp's Ridley sea turtle, and the
threats they face in the wild.
"In the 1980's the Cayman Turtle Conservation & Education
Centre (then known as the Cayman Turtle Farm) received Kemp's Ridleys as part of an effort to
preserve the DNA and future of this endangered sea turtle," said
Walter Mustin, Ph.D. and Chief
Research & Conservation Officer at the Cayman Turtle Centre.
"The remainder of the collection, recently sent to Sea World, will
be placed in facilities that can continue to showcase this
magnificent species and highlight conservation challenges involved
in their continued survival."
Turtles Arrival at SeaWorld
Orlando and What Follows After Quarantine
In April 2022, the USFWS enlisted
the help of non-profit organization Turtles Fly Too who in turn
enlisted the help of their volunteer pilots to transport the
turtles from the Cayman Turtle Centre in Grand Cayman to Orlando, Florida. These "Turtle Fliers"
volunteer their own aircraft, fuel, and time.
"Turtles Fly Too has been devoted to conservation and
restoration efforts for many years and is wholeheartedly committed
to working alongside other organizations and agencies to ensure the
challenges facing protected marine species and those who care for
them are met with clear solutions and real actions. Extinction
is forever." said Leslie Weinstein,
President Turtles Fly Too.
The turtles have been in quarantine at SeaWorld Rescue in
Orlando since April 2022, a necessary practice whenever animals
are moved internationally or between facilities to avoid accidental
transfer of diseases. The turtles receive a full veterinary
exam, bloodwork, radiographs, and examination for parasites.
SeaWorld Orlando's turtle care specialists provide a healthy diet,
and closely monitor animal behavior and weights.
"SeaWorld has more than four decades of experience caring for a
wide variety of sea turtles all of which are threatened or
endangered which is part of our mission to protect marine animals
and their habitats globally," said Jon
Peterson, VP of Zoological Operations at SeaWorld Orlando
and head of the SeaWorld Orlando Rescue Team. "In addition to
providing long term care, we've rescued and rehabilitated more than
2,500 turtles with the goal of returning healthy animals back
to the wild as we view rescue and rehabilitation as an important
line of defense in the fight for species survival.
The SeaWorld Conservation Fund has also provided more than
$100,000 in grants and scientific
support to 10 different turtle conservation projects across
Africa and the Americas."
Following quarantine, the turtles will be sent to zoos and
aquaria around the U.S. which meet the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service's Standard Care Conditions. They will be housed in
enclosures simulating natural habitats and will receive a proper
diet and behavioral enrichment. Facilities are selected by
USFWS based on interest in providing life-long homes with a high
standard of care, experience with sea turtle husbandry, regional
public educational value for Kemp's Ridley conservation, and compliance
with USFWS requirements related to endangered species.
About SeaWorld Entertainment,
Inc.
SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE: SEAS) is a leading theme
park and entertainment company providing experiences that matter,
and inspiring guests to protect animals and the wild wonders of our
world. The Company is one of the world's foremost zoological
organizations and a global leader in animal welfare, training,
husbandry and veterinary care. The Company collectively cares for
one of the largest zoological collections in the world and has
helped lead advances in the care of animals. The Company also
rescues and rehabilitates marine and terrestrial animals that are
ill, injured, orphaned or abandoned, with the goal of returning
them to the wild. The SeaWorld® rescue team has helped more than
39,000 animals in need over the last 55 years. SeaWorld
Entertainment, Inc. owns or licenses a portfolio of recognized
brands including SeaWorld, Busch Gardens®, Aquatica®, Sesame Place®
and Sea Rescue®. Over its more than 55-year history, the Company
has built a diversified portfolio of 12 destination and regional
theme parks that are grouped in key markets across the United States, many of which showcase its
one-of-a-kind zoological collection. The Company's theme parks
feature a diverse array of rides, shows and other attractions with
broad demographic appeal which deliver memorable experiences and a
strong value proposition for its guests.
Media Contact:
SWO.PR@SeaWorld.com
View original content to download
multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/seaworld-partners-with-wildlife-authorities-and-conservation-groups-to-help-10-endangered-and-non-releasable-kemps-ridley-sea-turtles-301606940.html
SOURCE SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment