BENSON THE RESCUED GREEN SEA TURTLE WELCOMED TO SEA LIFE MICHIGAN

Benson, a rescued, non-releasable green sea turtle has officially taken up residence in the 120,000-gallon ocean tank inside SEA LIFE Michigan, the 35,000-square-foot aquarium at Great Lakes Crossing Outlets in Auburn Hills. Debbie Gibb, marketing manager at SEA LIFE Michigan, made the announcement.

Benson was stranded in 2014 at Anastasia State Park in St. Johns County, Fla., after being hit by a boat, which caused a caudal carapace (shell) fracture and induced a hypothermic reaction called cold-stunning. Benson was rescued by the doctors at the Georgia Sea Turtle Hospital in Jekyll Island, Ga., who have spent the last year nursing him back to health. While Benson is much healthier and stronger now, due to his injuries he will never be able to survive in the wild.

SEA LIFE Michigan Curator Kelli Cadenas escorted Benson from the rescue center to the Auburn Hills aquarium on May 23. Since that time, Cadenas and her aquarist team have been providing round-the-clock monitoring and care for Benson in a special med pool tank. Today, Benson was officially released into the large ocean tank and introduced to his new marine family.

“It’s great to see Benson swimming around in his new home, our whole team absolutely adores him and we know our guests will too,” said Cadenas. “He has been through so much, but he is incredibly resilient and his story is a great reminder to us all about the importance of preserving the natural environment.”

Benson will continue to receive 24-hour monitoring as he adjusts to his new environment and his food, consisting of cucumbers, green peppers and brussels sprouts, will be donated by The Kroger Co. of Michigan.

“The Kroger Co. of Michigan is excited to welcome Benson and proud of the opportunity to provide food for the little fellow,” said Ken McClure, consumer communications manager for Kroger Co. of Michigan. “Sustainability of our natural environment is very important to Kroger and we thank SEA LIFE Michigan for the chance to help teach this important lesson to the children and families of Michigan.”

Green Sea Turtles are an endangered species. They face not only natural threats from predators, but also human-caused threats, such as commercial fishing, pollution, beach erosion and illegal hunting.

“Caring for sea turtles worldwide and inspiring passion for conservation are critical components of SEA LIFE’s Breed, Rescue, Protect program,” said Gibb. “In addition to finding safe, permanent homes for creatures like Benson, the SEA LIFE Trust conservation charity works to protect turtle nesting beaches, fund turtle rescue and rehabilitation, and combat threats of pollution and turtle hunting.”

For details about visiting Benson, more information on sea turtles and the SEA LIFE Trust, please visit https://www.visitsealife.com/michigan/news-and-events/benson-turtle.aspx