San Antonio aquatic attraction welcomes sea turtle

Sea Life San Antonio, a downtown aquatic attraction, is now home to a young, rehabilitated green sea turtle.

Officials with Sea Life San Antonio gathered at the aquarium March 1 to give the sea turtle a formal welcome in Sea Life’s 155,000-gallon ocean tunnel exhibit, according to a Sea Life news release.

Sea Life San Antonio also named the turtle Guacamole, based on results from a citywide naming contest, the release said.

Sea Life San Antonio officials said guests are able to spot the aquarium’s first sea turtle in the only local underwater ocean tunnel exhibit, which has more than 1,000 creatures including sharks and stingrays.

The release said the 26.4-pound turtle was rescued from the Texas coast after she was found with paralyzed back flippers, likely caused by injuries sustained by a boat. The turtle spent months at the Amos Rehabilitation Keep in Port Aransas receiving treatment, the release said.

Guacamole’s arrival at Sea Life San Antonio included the unveiling of a replica sea turtle built with more than 5,000 Lego bricks and the firing of a lettuce confetti cannon, the release said.

Merlin Entertainments, a family entertainment company, opened Sea Life San Antonio in 2021 at The Shops at Rivercenter, 849 E. Commerce St., according to the release.