NEW ORLEANS (WGNO)- There’s a way you can raise a glass, and save endangered sea turtles. The Audubon Aquarium of the Americas is holding a fundraiser, “Scales & Ales” to help save the sea turtles.
News with a Twist Reporter Kenny Lopez went to the Audubon Aquatic Animal Center on the West Bank to learn more about how they rehabilitate the sea turtles and get them ready to go back into the wild.
“Fishermen found Jitterbug. He was doing very poorly in the wild against the rocks, very dehydrated, and very skinny,” Dr. Tres Clarke, Veterinarian at the Audubon Aquatic Animal Center, said.
Skinny no more! Jitterbug the Kemp’s Ridley Seat Turtle is doing much better, all thanks to vets like Dr. Tres Clarke.
“We gave him good nutrition and some good New Orleans food, so we got him fattened up,” he said.
You can help save a sea turtles life just like Jitterbug by supporting the Aquarium’s many programs and efforts like “Scales & Ales”—a party at the Aquarium to raise money for their animals.
“Food is expensive, and they eat what we eat. They love seafood,” Dr. Clarke said.
Food isn’t the only expense. A lot of money goes into finding out what’s wrong with the animal.
“Unfortunately, Jitterbug can’t tell us what’s wrong with him. Finding out what’s wrong with them is a big challenge. We have to do X-rays, ultra-sounds, and give them medication. All of that is part of the process,” he said.
It’s very important to protect these sea turtles from extinction and one of the best ways to do that is by supporting the Aquarium.
If you’d like to buy tickets to “Scales & Ales”, click HERE:
