AssetID: 53546683
Headline: RAW VIDEO: Sea Turtles Given Second Chance At Life After Being Released Into The Gulf Of Mexico
Caption: Twelve green sea turtles have been released back into the wild. The animals spent a month and a half under Houston Zoo veterinary care before keepers released them back home in the Gulf of Mexico. The sea turtles, ranging in size from five to 50 pounds, were released by the Zoo’s sea turtle team, alongside Texas A&M University Galveston’s Gulf Center for Sea Turtle Research and were sent off by a crowd of more than 300 people. The sea turtles were found cold-stunned in Galveston and Matagorda Bays during the subfreezing temperatures in January. After treating and monitoring the green sea turtles, Houston Zoo senior veterinarian Dr. Joe cleared them to go back home. Three of the green sea turtles released were equipped with satellite transmitters so Gulf Center researchers can monitor their movements. During their time under Houston Zoo care, the animals were treated for varying degrees of muscle damage from being washed around in the wind-driven waves. Others were treated for signs of pneumonia. All turtles were started on antibiotics, fluids, vitamins, and pain medications. During the final medical check-up, all green sea turtles had a good appetite and appeared healthy, vigorous, and ready to go home. When sea turtles experience water temperatures below 50 degrees Fahrenheit they become moribund and are unable to use their muscles normally. This is a condition known as cold stunning. Turtles become incapacitated and often are blown ashore where they may freeze or be preyed upon by birds or mammals if they are not rescued.
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