SeaWorld welcomes 12 endangered Kemp’s ridley sea turtles as part of multi-state rescue effort

SeaWorld welcomes 12 endangered Kemp’s ridley sea turtles as part of multi-state rescue effort SeaWorld welcomes 12 endangered Kemp’s ridley sea turtles as part of multi-state rescue effort

SeaWorld welcomes 12 endangered Kemp’s ridley sea turtles as part of multi-state rescue effort SeaWorld welcomes 12 endangered Kemp’s ridley sea turtles as part of multi-state rescue effort

SeaWorld welcomes 12 endangered Kemp’s ridley sea turtles as part of multi-state rescue effort SeaWorld welcomes 12 endangered Kemp’s ridley sea turtles as part of multi-state rescue effort

SeaWorld welcomes 12 endangered Kemp’s ridley sea turtles as part of multi-state rescue effort SeaWorld welcomes 12 endangered Kemp’s ridley sea turtles as part of multi-state rescue effort

SeaWorld welcomes 12 endangered Kemp’s ridley sea turtles as part of multi-state rescue effort SeaWorld welcomes 12 endangered Kemp’s ridley sea turtles as part of multi-state rescue effort

SeaWorld welcomes 12 endangered Kemp’s ridley sea turtles as part of multi-state rescue effort SeaWorld welcomes 12 endangered Kemp’s ridley sea turtles as part of multi-state rescue effort

By Nikki DeMarco

ORLANDO, Fla. — SeaWorld Orlando announced the successful rescue and arrival of 12 of the most endangered species of sea turtles.

▶ WATCH CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS

The Kemp’s ridley sea turtles were rescued after becoming cold-stunned—a condition caused by sudden drops in water temperature. were rescued after becoming cold-stunned—a condition caused by sudden drops in water temperature.

Kemp’s ridley sea turtles are the smallest sea turtle in the world.

SeaWorld welcomes 12 endangered Kemp’s ridley sea turtles as part of multi-state rescue effort SeaWorld welcomes 12 endangered Kemp’s ridley sea turtles as part of multi-state rescue effort

SeaWorld welcomes 12 endangered Kemp’s ridley sea turtles as part of multi-state rescue effort SeaWorld welcomes 12 endangered Kemp’s ridley sea turtles as part of multi-state rescue effort

SeaWorld welcomes 12 endangered Kemp’s ridley sea turtles as part of multi-state rescue effort SeaWorld welcomes 12 endangered Kemp’s ridley sea turtles as part of multi-state rescue effort

SeaWorld welcomes 12 endangered Kemp’s ridley sea turtles as part of multi-state rescue effort SeaWorld welcomes 12 endangered Kemp’s ridley sea turtles as part of multi-state rescue effort

SeaWorld welcomes 12 endangered Kemp’s ridley sea turtles as part of multi-state rescue effort SeaWorld welcomes 12 endangered Kemp’s ridley sea turtles as part of multi-state rescue effort

SeaWorld welcomes 12 endangered Kemp’s ridley sea turtles as part of multi-state rescue effort SeaWorld welcomes 12 endangered Kemp’s ridley sea turtles as part of multi-state rescue effort

The species is named after Richard M. Kemp, a fisherman from Key West, Florida, who first submitted the species for identification in 1906.

They are primarily found in the Gulf of Mexico, but juveniles are also found in the Atlantic Ocean as far north as Nova Scotia and sometimes even occur in the eastern North Atlantic.

Read: Universal Orlando reveals specialty license plate to support Give Kids The World

The turtles will receive around-the-clock expert care to aid the turtles in their recovery and their eventual return to the wild.

The rescued turtles were part of a multi-state, multi-organization rescue effort that transported 33 cold-stunned sea turtles from Massachusetts to Georgia and Florida for continued rehabilitation.

Read: Orange County Animal Services to waive adoption fees for older pets

This life-saving operation involved a collaboration between the New England Aquarium (NEAQ), the National Marine Life Center (NMLC) and other dedicated partners, including Turtles Fly Too, whose volunteer pilots donated their time and expertise to ensure the turtles arrived safely.

The SeaWorld team is honored to play a vital role in the rehabilitation of these turtles, reinforcing its longstanding commitment to wildlife rescue and conservation, officials said.

Read: Mega Millions jackpot soars to $670M; Florida store sells $5M winning ticket

Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.