animal spotlight
CH A M P THE THREE-FLIPPERED FIGHTER
CHAMP MAY ONLY HAVE THREE-FLIPPERS, BUT THAT’S HARDLY SLOWED DOWN THIS RESILIENT KEMP’S RIDLEY SEA TURTLE! Champ was named by Aquarium staff for the incredible odds this young turtle has overcome. When Champ was first found in September of last year, it was missing a flipper and was severely dehydrated. Its chances didn’t look good, but true to its name, Champ fought its way back to a healthy state with the help of our Wildlife Rescue team. Since its first day at the Rescue Center, Champ has grown 20 times in weight and is recovering the ability to swim and eat. Recently, Champ was moved to the Coral Reef exhibit for the next stage of its physical therapy and rehabilitation. Here, it will work on swimming and diving
in deeper waters, with the goal of releasing this endangered sea turtle back into its natural habitat. Champ will be monitored in the following months for further progress. If the Aquarium and partnering conservation organization believe Champ is ready to live outside a protective environment, a plan to release this turtle back into its natural habitat will be put into place. To learn more about the Texas State Aquarium’s Wildlife Rescue Center and its work saving endangered sea turtles, visit: www.texasstateaquarium.org/turtlerescue.
P BY LS LIKE CHAM HELP ANIMA RIUM! O THE AQUA DONATING T aquarium.org/support www.texasstate
FALL 2018
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