About Kale
Kale is an endangered Kemp’s ridley sea turtle who found a forever home with the Cook Museum in 2020. Kale came to the Museum from the Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center, a facility that rescues and rehabilitates sea turtles and other marine animals so they can be released back into the wild. Kale, while still a juvenile, was hooked by a recreational fisherman off a pier on Chesapeake Bay in Virginia in 2019. The stranding team from the Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center was called in to help.
Due to the size of the hook, an endoscopic procedure could not remove the hook. Therefore, several invasive surgeries were required. His wound did not fully heal and created scar tissue and a fistula, a hollow space where food and debris can get trapped and cause infections. Due to the fistula, Kale needs medical attention from time to time to ensure it remains clean, making him a non-releasable sea turtle.
The Museum staff and veterinarians now monitor his condition and give him the care he needs to have a chance at a long and happy life.
Donation Amounts
You can have a part in helping us Care for Kale. All donation amounts help provide for Kale’s daily care, food (shrimp, silversides, Atlantic herring, Mazuri Sea Turtle Gel, and/or squid), vitamins, veterinary oversight, and love! Monthly & yearly donations include all of the above plus live food and other enrichments such as blue crab, frozen treats, treats in a Jolly Ball for exercising mind and body, and other interactives to keep Kale as healthy as possible, in all aspects.
Care for Kale for a day
$15
Care for Kale for a week
$100
Care for Kale for a month
$500
Care for Kale for a year
$6000
Care for Kale for another amount
Other
