Summary of Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtle Tally Receives Clean Bill of Health From Houston Zoo Experts:
Tally, a Kemp’s ridley sea turtle, was found stranded on the shores of Wales in 2021 and was far from her natural habitat. The Anglesey Sea Zoo intervened and helped nurse Tally back to health over a year. She recently arrived in Houston, Texas, where she underwent a thorough examination and was found healthy. Tally will spend a few days regaining muscle strength in a tank at the Houston Zoo before a tracking device is attached to monitor her movements. If all goes well, Tally will be released back into the wild in early September with the help of multiple agencies and non-profit organizations. Tally’s journey highlights the dedication and collaboration of these organizations in wildlife conservation.
Summary:
– Tally, a Kemp’s ridley sea turtle, is nearing the end of her journey back to the Gulf of Mexico after being found stranded on the shores of Wales.
– She received medical check-ups and care from dedicated animal experts at Anglesey Sea Zoo in the U.K.
– After a year of securing the necessary clearances, Tally was flown from Heathrow to Houston to continue her recovery at the Houston Zoo.
– Tally’s examination revealed she is healthy and strong, with no signs of organ dysfunction or pneumonia.
– She will spend time in a deep-water tank at Houston Zoo to regain muscle strength before being released back into the wild.
In an extraordinary tale of resilience, Tally, a Kemp’s ridley sea turtle, is nearing the end of her years-long journey back to the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Tally’s story is one of incredible dedication and collaboration from multiple agencies and non-profit organizations that have worked tirelessly to ensure her survival and successful return to her natural habitat.
Tally’s remarkable journey began when she was discovered washed up on the shores of Wales, UK, in 2021. The Kemp’s ridley sea turtle, one of the rarest and most endangered in the world, found herself far from her natural habitat, an unusual sighting in the United Kingdom. Fortunately, a group of animal experts from the Anglesey Sea Zoo quickly intervened, and Tally’s journey towards recovery began.
The circumstances of Tally’s stranding were attributed to a combination of factors, including a change in weather conditions and the unfortunate timing of her location. With the potential risk of pneumonia due to her extended time in cold waters, the team at Anglesey Sea Zoo embarked on a mission to nurse her back to health. Tally spent weeks rehabilitating at the zoo, receiving the necessary care and attention to ensure her well-being.
It took an entire year to secure the necessary clearances for Tally’s journey back to her native habitat in the Gulf of Mexico. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services spearheaded the efforts, ensuring Tally received the proper CITES permit. The non-profit organization Turtles Fly Too generously stepped in to cover the cost of her transport, ensuring she would have the opportunity to return home. Tally was declared fit for travel, marking the next phase of her extraordinary journey, and flew as a cargo-passenger on a commercial airline from Heathrow to Houston.
Upon her arrival in Texas, Tally was immediately transported to the Houston Zoo, where a team of experts conducted a thorough examination. To everyone’s relief, Tally was found to be strong, vigorous, and healthy, defying the odds of her 22-hour-long transit. The routine exam revealed no signs of organ dysfunction, and radiographs confirmed no indications of pneumonia. The examination of her limb joints showed no swelling, further confirming her remarkable health. Tally, estimated to be 6-7 years old, weighs an impressive 14.6 kilograms (32 pounds).
While her bloodwork results are still pending, Tally’s health is promising. She will spend a few days in a deep-water tank at Houston Zoo to regain her muscle strength before researchers from Texas A&M University at Galveston’s Gulf Center for Sea Turtle Research attach a tracking device to monitor her movements upon release.
If all goes well, a team of international partners and the Padre Island National Seashore Turtle Stranding team are planning to meet in Galveston to celebrate Tally’s release back into the wild in early September. Tally’s journey is a testament to the power of collaboration and compassion in wildlife conservation, and her return to the Gulf of Mexico will mark a significant milestone for preserving these magnificent creatures.
Tally’s story serves as a reminder of the importance of reporting stranded sea turtles promptly. Public members are urged to quickly report any sea turtle found on a beach or shoreline by calling 1-866-TURTLE-5 (1-866-887-8535). By taking action and alerting the appropriate authorities, individuals can contribute to the protection and well-being of these incredible creatures.
The Kemp’s ridley sea turtle, with its distinctive ridged shell and small size, is an incredible species that faces many threats in the wild. Through the dedicated efforts of organizations and passionate individuals like those involved in Tally’s journey, we can continue to make a difference in preserving these beautiful creatures and their habitats.
So next time you spot a sea turtle struggling on a beach, remember Tally’s story and make the call. Together, we can ensure the continued survival of these magnificent creatures and celebrate their return to the wild.
