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Lightning strikes Turtle Back Zoo exhibit, endangering sea turtles
A lightning strike ignited a fire at Turtle Back Zoo in Essex County Wednesday night, exposing sea turtles to heavy smoke.
According to the Sea Turtle Recovery organization, the lightning damaged the Sea Turtle Recovery hospital, threatening the lives of several endangered sea turtles housed there.
The West Orange Fire Department responded swiftly to the scene, battling flames that engulfed the building. Sea Turtle Recovery staff and volunteers, alerted by zoo staff, rushed to the facility to rescue the turtles exposed to heavy smoke.
Among the rescued was Pickles, a critically endangered Kemp’s Ridley sea turtle that was already fighting a respiratory infection. During an emergency examination, Pickles’ heart rate dropped to a dangerously low level, prompting immediate medical intervention by Dr. Hubert Paluch, STR’s veterinarian. To stimulate deeper breathing, Pickles was placed in an emergency pool, where he eventually began to swim regularly and exhibit normal behaviors.
Other turtles, including a Loggerhead, a Green Sea Turtle, and three additional Kemp’s Ridley turtles, were also stabilized. STR staff, along with the zoo staff, conducted thorough exams on all the turtles to ensure their well-being.
The turtles were then taken to New York, where the Atlantic Marine Conservation Society prepared tanks for their arrival. The entire rescue operation extended into the early hours of the morning.
“We cannot begin to assess the damage, and we do not know at this time all of the filtration and tank damage that was done,” STR said in a statement. “Our animals are the current focus. All we can say simply is that seven years ago this hospital was a dream, and now 122 animals have been released. The turtles never give up, and they have taught us to never give up on them or ourselves.”
STR thanked the West Orange Fire Department, the Turtle Back Zoo staff, and the New York team for their support in the aftermath of the fire.
The organization is now seeking donations to help with the recovery process, including setting up temporary tanks and purchasing supplies.
Sea Turtle Recovery, the only long-term care hospital for sea turtles in New Jersey, remains committed to its mission. “We will not give up,” the organization emphasized.
Donations can be made at seaturtlerecovery.org or by texting “SEATURTLE” to 202-858-1233.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Turtle Back Zoo in Essex County struck by lightning
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