KUDOS
Tampa Bay Beaches Chamber’s ribbon cutting at the expanded Alligator Attraction at John’s Pass Village. The Attraction’s new owner, Travis Palladino, whom some may know previously served two terms as Madeira Beachs mayor used an Alligator instead of scissors to cut the ribbon. Travis looks fit, healthy and stressfree in his new role. He says his new job pays better too. The attraction collection has been growing with the addition of recent rescued animals Photo by Bob Schlesinger - Tropical Focus Photography
Gulf Beaches Rotary 6th Annual Liibrary Book Rescue Project. This year over 5000 library books will be distributed to local children through the Guardian ad Litem foundation, Big Brothers /Sisters, Eckerd Kids, Juvenile Welfare Board , Boys and Girls club, We Read Foundation, Florida Camp Rotary, Ronald McDonald House and others. Members of the Roto-act Club of Osceola high school helped sort and re-box the books as a service project. Photo by Mitchell Shenkman
The Florida Aquarium releases Kemp’s Ridley sea turtle On Wednesday, Oct. 19, The Florida Aquarium released a 12-pound juvenile Kemp’s ridley sea turtle that stranded on Dec. 8, 2016 in New England as part of a large cold-stunning event this past winter.
Dr. Ari Fustukjian, The Florida Aquarium's Associate Veterinarian, and Ashley Riese, The Florida Aquarium's Veterinary Technician, release an adult, male Kemps ridley sea turtle back to its natural environment off Fort Desoto Park on Wed., Oct. 11, after five months of rehabilitative care. Photo Credit: The Florida Aquarium 8
Cold-stunning occurs when sea turtles are exposed to prolonged cold water temperatures. As cold-blooded reptiles that rely on external sources of heat to determine their body temperature, sea turtles do not have the ability to warm themselves in cold water. The turtle was flown from Marshfield Massachusetts Airport to Tampa Executive Airport on Dec. 21, 2016 by pilot Chuck Yanke and co-pilot Mike Lalley, who volunteered their time and aircraft to transport 19 sea turtles that needed rehab, including this one, from New England to
NOVEMBER 2017 | ParadiseNewsFL.com
Florida. The care of these turtles was then transferred to several facilities to continue their rehabilitation with the ultimate goal of release. The Florida Aquarium received 12 turtles, Clearwater Marine Aquarium received three turtles and Sea World Orlando received four turtles. Upon arrival at The Florida Aquarium, this turtle was alert but thin and not taking regular, deep breaths. Its blood results showed signs of infection, and it displayed evidence of pneumonia on x-rays, which is common in cold-stunned sea turtles. This turtle was treated with fluids initially until its appetite improved, as well as antibiotics to treat its pneumonia. This turtle also had a small, sensitive wound just beneath its nostrils that required frequent attention by the veterinary staff and topical medications to encourage healing.
The Florida Aquarium’s sea turtle rescue and rehabilitation efforts are part of the organization’s Center for Conservation and is one of only a few rehabilitation facilities authorized by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to treat sick or injured endangered sea turtles. With an emphasis on critical care and release back into its natural habitat, The Florida Aquarium’s full-time veterinary program and medical staff assist with sea turtle rehabilitation not only in Tampa, but nationwide. They do everything they can to ensure the conservation and ongoing livelihood of these amazing creatures. The Florida Aquarium, 701 Channelside Dr, Tampa, 33602