KANSAS CITY, Mo. —

A rescue sea turtle was flown more than 1,000 miles to her new, forever home in Kansas City last week.

Kempsville, the turtle, traveled across the country from Baltimore, Maryland, to SEA LIFE Kansas City Aquarium. Kempsville is a Kemp’s ridley sea turtle, which is the most critically endangered sea turtle species in the world.

The turtle’s rescue journey began in May 2023, according to a SEA LIFE spokesperson, when Kempsville was found caught on a fishing hook off the coast of Virginia Beach. Kempsville underwent surgery and long-term rehabilitation after the procedure. Animal rescue experts also provided care for Kempsville’s arthritis in her front flippers, which prevented her from passing a necessary swim test.

Ultimately, experts determined that Kempsville could

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