LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla., Aug. 16, 2010 – All 32 sea turtles recently taken in by Walt Disney World Resort after being impacted by the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico have completed their initial veterinary examinations and are responding well to treatment, say Disney animal care experts.

Among the sea turtles in recovery are Green Turtles, an endangered species, and Kemp’s Ridley Turtles, one of the most endangered species of sea turtle in the world. The initial exams performed at the veterinary hospital at Disney’s Animal Kingdom included x-rays, blood tests and a complete physical assessment.

“The animals are doing quite well,” said Andy Deneault, an assistant curator responsible for the care of sea turtles at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. “Once we received these animals, we immediately put them on a regimented diet to build their strength. We also keep the sea turtles in special shallow salt-water pools set up just for this effort.”

With the ultimate goal of releasing the turtles back in the wild, Disney animal experts are focused on increasing the turtles’ body weight so they have the strength to swim in the open ocean.

As a licensed wildlife rehabilitation center, Disney Animal Programs supports the rescue and rehabilitation of more than 1,000 injured and orphaned wild animals each year. Since 1986, Disney animal care teams have nursed more than 250 endangered sea turtles back to health.

In addition, as part of the coordinated response to the Gulf oil spill, Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund (DWCF), supported by Disney’s Friends for Change: Project Green, has donated $100,000 to help with environmental and animal rescue efforts, including $50,000 to The National Audubon Society for their response in the Gulf. Another $50,000 in grants from the DWCF Rapid Response Fund is being awarded to various grassroots organizations assisting with the cleanup.