Rescue Stories
Check out the latest rescue stories from our Center for Wildlife Rescue!
After 8-Month Battle with Pneumonia, Critically Endangered Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtle Released
August 28, 2025
The Texas State Aquarium’s Port Corpus Christi Center for Wildlife Rescue successfully released a rehabilitated juvenile Kemp’s ridley sea turtle, one of the most endangered sea turtle species in the world, at Padre Balli Park on North Padre Island following an extraordinary eight-month recovery.
Green Sea Turtle Undergoes Successful Surgery
September 12, 2024
Because this turtle had tumors affecting both eyes making it unable to hunt or protect itself, surgery was required to bring it to a releasable status.
UPDATE: RESCUED MISSISSIPPI KITE FLEDGLINGS ARE LEARNING TO FLY AND HUNT ON THEIR OWN
August 21, 2024
Today, they are flying and swooping through the rehabilitation aviary of the Aquarium with ease.
Mississippi Kite Fledglings Evacuated from Houston Following Hurricane Beryl
July 25, 2024
Following Hurricane Beryl’s aftermath in Houston, sixteen Mississippi Kite fledglings were admitted to the Port Corpus Christi Center for Wildlife Rescue at the Texas State Aquarium.
Another Successful Green Sea Turtle Release
March 29, 2024
On March 22nd, the Texas State Aquarium bid farewell to our recent guests, as we returned two green sea turtles to the waters of the Laguna Madre.
TSA Celebrates the Holidays by Saving Hundreds of Sea Turtles
January 5, 2023
The holidays looked a little different for several staff members, wildlife rescue and conservation partners, advocates, and volunteers around the Coastal Bend.
TSA Responds to 200 Cold-Stunned Sea Turtles
December 27, 2022
Christmas weekend, the Texas State Aquarium Wildlife Rescue Team has admitted 245 cold-stunned green sea turtles to its Wildlife Rescue Program.
TSA Releases Nine Endangered Loggerhead Sea Turtles
November 29, 2022
On Saturday, November 26, 2022, the Texas State Aquarium released nine loggerhead sea turtles that were admitted to the Aquarium’s Wildlife Rescue Program between July and September after being stranded on Texas beaches.
Dozens of Stranded Loggerhead Turtles in Emergency Housing by Wildlife Rescue Program
November 15, 2022
The Texas State Aquarium implemented emergency housing to care for numerous loggerhead sea turtles stranded in South Texas.
Large Endangered Sea Turtles Admitted to Wildlife Rescue Center
July 21, 2022
From July 11th through July 21, the Texas State Aquarium’s (TSA) Wildlife Rescue Center admitted eight large loggerhead sea turtles.
Dolphin Calf Rehabilitated by TSA Completes Final Integration into new home
May 18, 2022
After spending a few weeks in their quarantine pool, Ranger has moved into the Dolphin Research Center’s primary dolphin lagoon. This move marks his final integration into a “forever family” of other permanent dolphin residents in the Florida Keys.
*Photo Credit to Andy Newman
TSA Releases 10 of the 11 Kemp’s Ridley Cold-Stunned Turtles
Mar. 28, 2022
On Friday, March 25, 2022, the Texas State Aquarium released 10 of the 11 cold-stunned Kemp’s ridley sea turtles that came to the Wildlife Rescue Center all the way from New England Aquarium back in early December 2021.
Dolphin Calf Rehabilitated by the Texas State Aquarium Finds Forever Home
Mar. 26, 2022
After months of dedication, work, and 24/7 care, the male bottlenose dolphin calf rescued in June 2021 has found his forever home at a nonprofit research and education facility.
Texas State Aquarium Releases 73 Endangered Sea Turtles Back to the Ocean
Feb. 14, 2022
The Texas State Aquarium released 73 of the 80 cold-stunned sea turtles that were admitted to the Aquarium due to a cold-stunning event.
