SEA LIFE to welcome Gertrude, an injured endangered sea turtle, as its newest tenant

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Kansas City’s aquarium is about to get a rare new tenant.

Gertrude, a green sea turtle, will fly into Kansas City International Airport on Monday, Feb. 11. After spending a few days in quarantine, she will be introduced into SEA LIFE Kansas City’s 157,000 gallon aquarium.

Gerturde will be the first sea turtle in the state of Missouri. Sea turtles are an endangered species.

“There are very few left in the wild,” SEA LIFE curator Aaron Sprowl said in a video announcing Gertrude’s arrival. “So to have a sea turtle actually in our tank that people can visit and understand her story and the plight she’s gone through will hopefully save future generations of sea turtles.”

Gertrude is coming from Clearwater Marine Aquarium in Clearwater, Fla. She was found in 2011 with her flippers tangled in a fishing line.

Her injuries were severe enough that one flipper had to be amputated and another had to be fused. Because she can no longer pick up any speed in the water to flee from predators, she cannot be re-released into the wild.

"We are very excited to bring Gertrude to Kansas City,” SEA LIFE Marketing Manager Mendy Rose said. "We know the residents of Kansas City will fall in love with Gertrude and make her feel at home as our newest exhibit at SEA LIFE in Crown Center."