New Kemp's ridley turtle on exhibit at Mote

Date: January 24, 2013
by: Robin Hartill | City Editor

A new Kemp’s ridley sea turtle is now on exhibit publicly at The Aquarium at Mote Marine Laboratory.

Mote is providing a permanent home to the turtle named Caleb, whose impaired swimming abilities make his return to the water impossible.

Caleb is the first Kemp’s ridley turtle to become a permanent resident in Mote’s “Sea Turtles: Ancient Survivors” exhibit. He is a juvenile turtle who weighs 20 pounds and was rescued Nov. 9, 2011, on Ormond Beach. He arrived at Mote in December and stayed for approximately one month in Mote’s Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Hospital before moving to the exhibit.

Kemp’s ridley turtles are considered the most endangered sea turtle species on Earth.

The exhibit also houses loggerhead and green-sea turtles that cannot be released and includes a hospital for hatchling turtles and educational displays about Mote’s sea-turtle conservation and research efforts.

Contact Robin Hartill at rhartill@yourobserver.com.