I am wrapping up rescue week with a resident rescue icon, Nickel, the green sea turtle!
1. Meet Nickel, a green sea turtle with a unique story.
2. Learn about the challenges green sea turtles face and their endangered status.
3. Discover the efforts accredited institutions make to protect and advocate for sea turtles.
4. Find out how you can help support sea turtle stranding response and rehabilitation through federal funding.
Deep in the turquoise waters of the Gulf of Mexico, there lives a remarkable sea creature with a story worth sharing. Nickel, a green sea turtle, was discovered floating among the mangroves off the coast of Florida in 1998, sporting a deep gash on her shell – an undeniable wound caused by a boat propeller. Thanks to the dedicated efforts of a sea turtle medical center in Clearwater, Florida, Nickel was given a second chance at life.
Following months of rehabilitation, Nickel lost buoyancy control, a lasting consequence of her injury. As a result, she was deemed unfit for release back into the ocean. In 2003, Nickel found her forever home at the renowned Shedd Aquarium, where she receives round-the-clock care, gentle shell brushes, and a lavish diet of five heads of fresh greens each day. She has become a beloved resident and an ambassador for her species.
Green sea turtles, like Nickel, face numerous challenges, both natural and man-made, that have contributed to their endangered status. These majestic creatures inhabit tropical and subtropical coastal waters worldwide, making them vulnerable to various threats. The loss of critical nesting beaches due to coastal development, pollution, entanglement in fishing gear, and climate change are just a few of the factors that have led to their decline.
But all hope is not lost. In collaboration with accredited institutions like Shedd Aquarium, a global effort is being made to protect and advocate for sea turtles as part of the proving Animals from Extinction (SAFE). programThe goal is to ensure the survival of these incredible reptiles and their habitats, not just for their intrinsic value but also to maintain a healthy marine ecosystem.
Through SAFE, Shedd Aquarium and other accredited institutions are actively working to address the threats faced by sea turtles. By conducting research, participating in rescue and rehabilitation efforts, and educating the public, they aim to raise awareness and inspire action. These initiatives are crucial in bringing about positive change for the survival of green sea turtles and many other species; you might wonder, how can I contribute to this noble cause? The answer is lii-supporting store more robust funding for sea turtle stranding response and rehabilitation. By clicking the link in our bio, you can join the movement and become an advocate for these incredible creatures. Your support will enable organizations like Shedd Aquarium to continue their vital work in rescuing, rehabilitating, and releasing injured or stranded sea turtles.
Every contribution, big or small, matters. From providing medical care to ensuring safe nesting habitats, your support plays a crucial role in the survival of these magnificent creatures. So, let’s unite to safeguard our shared blue planet. Together, we can make a tangible difference and protect sea turtles for generations.
As we bid farewell to Rescue Week, let Nickel be our resident rescue icon and resilience. Her journey is a testament to the power of compassion and the impact that each of us can have on the lives of these magnificent creatures. Let us continue to create ripples of change, ensuring a brighter future for Nickel and her counterparts in the vast oceans they call home.
Join us today in acting for sea turtles, and let’s make a real difference!
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WrapI am wrapping rescue week on a resident rescue icon, Nickel, the green sea turtle!
Nickel was found 1998 floating among mangroves on Florida’s gulf coast with a deep gash in her shell, an apparent wound from a boat propeller. She was taken to a sea turtle medical center in Clearwater, Florida. After months of rehabilitation, she continued to have problems controlling her buoyancy. Permanently impaired, she could not be returned to the ocean and eventually found a home at Shedd in 2003, where she receives round-the-clock care, lots of shell brushes, and five heads of fresh greens a day!
Green sea turtles, like Nickel, are on the endangered species list. In collaboration with @zoos_aquariums
accredited institutions, we are working to advocate for sea turtles all over our shared blue planet as a part of the program, Saving Animals From Extinction (SAFE), which aims to do just that.
Join us today in acting for sea turtles! Help support more robust funding for sea turtle stranding response and rehabilitation—link in bio.
