Wed, Aug 10, 2005
Sun Country Airlines Transports Endangered Species Back to
Florida
Sun Country Airlines will welcome an
unusual passenger aboard its Ft. Myers-bound flight 381 on
Wednesday morning. One of the world's most endangered species, a
loggerhead turtle, was smuggled into Minnesota last fall and will
be returned to Florida where it will be released back into its
natural habitat within the next few months.
Due to the size of the container carrying the loggerhead, the
turtle will fly in first class and will be accompanied by a
representative from the United States Fish and Wildlife
Service.
"We pride ourselves on the top notch service we provide our
customers and this situation is no exception. I hope this is the
best flying experience this little creature ever has," said Wendy
Blackshaw, Director of Marketing at Sun Country.
Once it arrives in Fort Myers, the 7.5lb turtle will be
temporarily placed at The Conservancy of South West Florida before
being released into the ocean within the year. Due to predators and
habitat loss, only one in 1,000 sea turtle hatchlings make it to
adulthood.
The reddish-brown creatures are named for their super sized
heads and have been listed as a threatened species in the Federal
Register since 1978. The zoo could not keep the turtle indefinitely
due to regulations that state all healthy turtles be released into
the wild.
Due to the loggerhead's environmental requirements, Sun Country
will transport the turtle within the climate controlled cabin. "We
are happy to provide the necessary transportation to aid in the
survival of this special turtle. We just hope that he will tell all
his friends what a great trip he had," continued Blackshaw.
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