Gertrude gets her wings: sea turtle flies from Tampa to KC - WFLA-TV Newschannel 8

Gertrude gets her wings: sea turtle flies from Tampa to Kansas City

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Gertrude prepares for her Southwest flight at Tampa International Airport Gertrude prepares for her Southwest flight at Tampa International Airport
TAMPA, FL -

Gertrude is going where no sea turtle has gone before.

She's a sea turtle, and Monday morning, she was loaded aboard a Southwest plane, for a flight to Kansas City. Once she arrives, she'll be the first sea turtle in the Show-Me State.

Gertrude was rescued in 2011. Her flippers were tangled in fishing line. One flipper had to be removed, the other, fused. Because she can no longer use those flippers to make a getaway from predators, she can't be released into the wild.

The Clearwater Marine Aquarium has been caring for her since her rescue. Once she arrives in Missouri, she will settle into her new home in SEA LIFE Kansas City's 157,000 gallon aquarium.

Southwest airlines agreed to waive the pet fee for Gertrude. She will be allowed to fly in the cabin.

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