A Journey of Resilience: The Rescue and Recovery of a Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtle
February 24, 2025
A Journey of Resilience: The Rescue and Recovery of a Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtle
In the chilly month of December 2022, a remarkable journey began for a Kemp’s ridley sea turtle. This turtle, along with others, was found cold-stunned on the beaches of Cape Cod, Massachusetts. The cold waters them hypothermic, vulnerable, and in desperate need of care. The National Marine Life Center swiftly responded, but the sheer number of distressed turtles overwhelmed their facilities.
To provide the necessary care, the sea turtles were transported via Turtles Fly Too to the Texas State Aquarium in Corpus Christi, Texas. This journey marked the beginning of sea turtle’s fight for survival. Upon arrival, the rescue team noted its fragile state, pneumonia, and mild flipper wounds.
The dedicated Wildlife Care team at the Texas State Aquarium Wildlife Rescue Center immediately began an intensive regimen to nurse back to health. The sea turtle received medication to combat infections, nebulization treatments to aid its breathing, and specialized wound care including laser therapy and medications for its flipper injuries.
In March 2023, as its condition stabilized, the sea turtle was moved to the new Port Corpus Christi Center for Wildlife Rescue at the Texas State Aquarium. This new facility is equipped with state-of-the-art technology designed to enhance the care and monitoring of marine life, ensuring that the sea turtle received the best possible treatment. Notably, it houses the only CT scanner dedicated for Wildlife in Texas, where many of her exams were performed. The veterinarian continued to closely monitor its progress. They performed multiple CT scans to assess the effectiveness of treatments and detect any lingering issues.
Despite these efforts, the pneumonia persisted. In June 2023, with the assistance of Dr. Blow, a renowned surgical critical care specialist and retired CEO of Christus Health System, the team performed a laparoscopic lung biopsy. Dr. Blow, a champion in supporting the Aquarium, provided crucial insights through this complex procedure, allowing them to refine its treatment plan.
The dedication of the rescue team and the advanced medical interventions paid off. By July 2023, the sea turtle had fully recovered from all its ailments. The sea turtle was healthy, strong, and ready to return to the wild. Dr. Blow and his daughter had the honor of assisting in its release, watching with pride as the sea turtle swam back into the ocean.
This sea turtle story is one of resilience and hope. It highlights the immense efforts of the rescue and medical teams, the collaborations across conservation partners, and the incredible will of an endangered sea turtle to overcome adversity. Its journey from the cold beaches of New England to its triumphant return to the Gulf exemplifies the profound impact of dedicated wildlife conservation efforts.
With the wildlife CT scans performed, the Texas State Aquarium was able to create perfect sea turtle replicas. This allowed the Aquarium to produce detailed and accurate 3D models of the patients that have gone through rehabilitation, which serve as valuable tools for conservation. If you hold a light to the model, you will be able to see the turtle’s skeleton, revealing the intricate structure within.
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