Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle Release Set for Tuesday

Sea turtle lovers who want to watch a live release will get their chance Tuesday.

The Clearwater Marine Aquarium has announced it will return “Sparky,” a rehabilitated Kemp’s ridley sea turtle, to the water on June 2. The release is set for 10:30 a.m. on Clearwater Beach, behind the Sanpearl Resort.

Sparky arrived at the aquarium back in January. He was found by aquarium divers floating about 22 miles offshore, west of Clearwater Pass, an email from the aquarium stated. When he arrived, Sparky was suffering from nutritional issues and had an abrasion on the top of his head. He also is missing this right rear flipper, which is believed to be from a birth defect. In addition, the little critter had a case of pneumonia.

Over the last few months, Sparky has been receiving care at the aquarium, preparing him for release back into the water.

CMA has helped provide medical care to 379 sea turtles since 2010. Sparky marks the 11th sea turtle released back into the wild in 2015.

Kemp’s ridley sea turtles are recognized as endangered creatures by the federal government and the state of Florida. The critters have a habitat that includes the waters of the Gulf of Mexico and the north Atlantic Ocean, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

The main threat to Kemp’s ridley sea turtles, the state notes, is “accidental capture” by man.

For more information on the species, visit FWC online.

To view the release in person, head to Clearwater Beach Tuesday morning. The Sandpearl Resort is located at 500 Mandalay Ave.

Photo courtesy of the Clearwater Marine Aquarium

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