Sea Turtle Rehabilitated at Minnesota Zoo Realsed to wild

[Spree]

I copy and pasted this from MN ZOOS website:
Rescued Sea Turtle, Rehabilitated at Minnesota Zoo, Goes Back to the Wild

A young loggerhead sea turtle, illegally taken as a baby by a Minnesota tourist visiting Sanibel Island, Florida in 2004, will go home to the waters off Southwest Florida on Thursday, June 26, 2008 around 9:15 a.m. CST. The turtle was cared for-and was on display at-the Minnesota Zoo until 2005, when it was sent to the Conservancy of Southwest Florida in Naples.

Since its arrival at the Conservancy, the endangered turtle–now four years old–has been residing in a patch reef aquarium where it has served as an ambassador for public education about its species. Environmental education staff has cared for the turtle in preparation for it to grow to a shell size of 45 cm in length, necessary for its return to the sea. In May, 2008, the Conservancy hosted a Sea Turtle Festival for the community to say goodbye to the turtle; the event was attended by more than 2,000 people.

History and Minnesota Zoo Involvement

The United States Fish and Wildlife Service transported the sea turtle to the Minnesota Zoo in 2004 after it was anonymously dropped off at the Minnesota Herpetological Society. When it first arrived at the Zoo, the turtle was no larger than a half-dollar coin and weighed only a half-ounce. “It was quite a surprise to get a call from the Minnesota Herpetological Society, informing us they had a sea turtle,” said Minnesota Zoo Aquarium Supervisor Allan Maguire. “When the turtle arrived, it was very dehydrated and we weren’t sure if it was going to make it. However, loggerheads are tough and it soon started eating and gaining weight. During its stay at the Minnesota Zoo, it was a popular turtle and will probably be the only small loggerhead that will be in Minnesota for some time. We are thrilled the turtle survived and is now being released into the wild.”

By August 2005, the seven-and-a-half pound turtle was ready to leave the Minnesota Zoo and travel home to Florida. This trip was first class for the turtle, courtesy of Sun Country Airlines.

Gulf of Mexico Release

On June 26, the turtle will travel in a Conservancy of Southwest Florida transport van to Marco Island, where it will travel by boat for its release into the Gulf of Mexico. Members of the Conservancy and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission will transport the turtle.

http://www.mnzoo.com/guests/SpecialEven ... elease.asp
PLEASE go to this link to see their turtle picture "slideshow"

Spree

Go Minnesota Zoo

[Ayame_]

I love it when amimals get put back where they belong it makes me happy