Endangered Kemp's ridley sea turtle released in Fort Walton Beach (al.com)
By Dennis Pillion, al.com
FORT WALTON BEACH, Florida - Saturday, staff from the Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park released back into the wild a Kemp's ridley sea turtle that had been inadvertently hooked by a fisherman last week in the Gulf of Mexico.
"We are grateful the fisherman chose to give this turtle the best possible chance of a full recovery," Rachael Cain, the Gulfarium's stranded turtle coordinator, said in a news release. "Often when an endangered turtle like this one is hooked, the line is cut and the turtle is left to fend for themselves. Whether he knows it or not, the fisherman who brought this turtle in has made a difference for a rare and endangered animal species."
The Kemp's ridley sea turtle is one the most endangered species of marine sea turtles.
The fisherman called the Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge for advice, and the five-pound turtle was transported to Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park in Fort Walton Beach where veterinarians successfully removed all the fishing line and most of the hook. A portion of the hook remains in the turtle, but veterinarians are confident it will dissolve in time. After observing the turtle for a few days, Gulfarium staff released it back into the wild Saturday morning.
Cain said the incidental capture of turtles by fishing line is one of the greatest threats to their well-being.
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more: http://blog.al.com/gulf-coast/2012/07/endangered_kemps_ridley_sea_tu.html
