A loggerhead sea turtle was returned to the Indian River Wednseday, June 17 near where it was rescued last December.
SeaWorld Orlando’s Animal Rescue Team returned a 70-pound loggerhead sea turtle to the Indian River near Sebastian, Fla. Wednesday. The turtle came to SeaWorld last December due to injuries caused by fishing line. Upon arrival at the park, the animal team assessed the animal and provided treatment, including removal of the fishing line through an endoscopy procedure.
The sea turtle is measured and weighed before its return to the Indian River
The loggerhead came to the park last year after the Marine Turtle Group from the University of Central Florida found injured turtle in a lagoon off the Indian River. The research group contacted the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission who then transported the loggerhead to SeaWorld Orlando for rehabilitation and care.
SeaWorld Orlando’s Animal Rescue Team uses a pit tag reader to scan the pit tag (microchip) that UCF inserted to provide identification of the animal.
For 45 years, SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment has helped animals in need -- ill, injured and orphaned. More than 20,000 animals have been rescued by our experts.‪ The SeaWorld team has rescued 24 sea turtles and had six releases so far this year. SeaWorld’s animal rescue team is on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
