Sea Turtle Inc. Welcomes Hawksbill Sea Turtle From Puerto Rico as New Permanent Resident

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | October 24, 2024

Sea Turtle Inc. Contact:
Sanjuana Zavala, Director of Marketing sanjuana.zavala@seaturtleinc.org
Link to Media Assets: https://seaturtleinc1.box.com/s/3pcc5rycgv6eq1dkk3ykc0tamqyzojb1

Sea Turtle Inc. Welcomes Hawksbill Sea Turtle From Puerto Rico as New Permanent Resident

South Padre Island, TX – Sea Turtle Inc is thrilled to announce the arrival of Bagua, a hawksbill sea turtle, as the newest permanent resident at the organization's renowned sea turtle medical care and conservation facility. Late Saturday Night on October 19, Bagua completed her 2500-mile journey from Puerto Rico to her new home on South Padre Island.

In 2009, Bagua was captured as a juvenile by poachers, where she sustained significant injuries. In an effort to control her, poachers threaded wire from one eye to the other, leaving her almost completely blind. After her rescue, Bagua was cared for at the Puerto Rico Zoo until being transferred to the Caribbean Manatee Conservation Center in 2018 to continue her recovery.

Now as she settles into her forever home, Sea Turtle Inc staff will focus on offering lifelong care, enrichment, and education opportunities, providing Bagua with specialized care for the rest 
of her life.

“We are so honored to have Bagua make it safely to her forever home with us at Sea Turtle Inc, says Wendy Knight” , Chief Executive Officer at Sea Turtle Inc. “Saturday was an exhausting day for the 
staff as we executed on a plan weeks in the making.”

Visitors to Sea Turtle Inc. will now have the chance to meet Bagua and learn about the vital importance of hawksbill conservation. Hawksbills are a critically endangered species threatened by 
habitat loss and illegal trade. As part of the organization’s broader mission to educate and inspire, Bagua will act as an ambassador, raising awareness about marine conservation and the
threats posed by human activity.

“Bagua’s story is a tragic and heartbreaking example of the cruelty of illegal trade”, says Wendy, but Bagua is a story of resiliency, of perseverance and adaptation. We are honored to be trusted to 
protect her and keep her safe for the rest of her lifetime.”

Sea Turtle Inc. invites the public to meet Bagua and explore the organization’s facility, which houses non-releasable resident sea turtles and offers a deeper look into the challenges faced by 
marine wildlife. For more information on Bagua and how you can support the mission of Sea Turtle Inc., visit www.seaturtleinc.org

About Sea Turtle Inc
Sea Turtle Inc., founded in 1977 is a leading non-profit organization dedicated to protecting sea turtles on a global scale. The organization works toward securing a world with thriving sea turtle 
populations through a four-tiered mission that includes conservation, education programs, medical care, and applied research. Sea Turtle Inc. treats hundreds of sick or injured sea turtles annually 
while also maintaining a strong focus on public awareness, receiving thousands of visitors each year. With its impactful blend of hands-on conservation and education, Sea Turtle Inc. continues to 
inspire local communities and global audiences to join in protecting sea turtles for generations to come.

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