Bottlenose dolphins have long called the warm waters of the Indian River Lagoon in central Florida home. However in recent years this area has become a hotspot of concern for those interested in protecting the much-loved mammals.

SeaWorld San Diego recently took in a rescued California sea otter pup that was found stranded a few months ago on a beach about five hours north of the marine-life park. The female pup was somehow separated from her mother and was suffering from a viral infection. Staff at the Monterey Bay Aquarium rescued her, stabilized her and then sent her to us for further care and a long-term home.

SeaWorld San Diego recently participated in the celebration of Sea Otter Awareness Week, to help educate the public about a species threatened by oil spills, entanglement in fishing nets and disease.

From Wisconsin to California to Hawaii, Dr. Chris Dold has had his fair share of traveling. And SeaWorld can’t be happier to call him the Vice President of Veterinary Services. Chris has been making a difference with SeaWorld for five years and continues to succeed in helping animals thrive.

When summer began, Kate Grimaldi and the SeaWorld Orlando aquarium staff had no idea they’d be caring for more than a hundred sea turtles affected by the massive Gulf oil spill.

On September 16, Lateesha Hektner, (above on right) from SeaWorld Orlando’s animal rescue team, returned to the wild 12 sea turtles that had been in the park’s care. The sea turtles – 11 highly endangered Kemp’s Ridley and one green – all were impacted by the Gulf oil spill.

On Tuesday, SeaWorld Orlando's animal rescue team returned 15 endangered Kemp's Ridley sea turtles to the waters off Marco Island, FL.

On August 18, about five miles off the coast of Cedar Key, Fla., SeaWorld Orlando animal rescue and rehabilitation experts returned to the wild 12 endangered Kemp's Ridley sea turtles that had been saved from the oil spill. The park's experts worked closely with The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

The sea turtles were the first oiled turtles to be returned to the wild.

On Wednesday, August 18, SeaWorld is releasing 12 oil-impacted, endangered Kemp’s Ridley sea turtles back into waters near Cedar Key, Fla. Follow the release tomorrow on Twitter @seaworld for up-to-the-minute updates.

More than 60 endangered sea turtles impacted by the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico have now come through SeaWorld’s Animal Rescue & Rehabilitation Center.