Aquarium of the Pacific Releases Rehabilitated Loggerhead Sea Turtle Off the Southern California Coast

October 16, 2024

October 16, 2024, Long Beach, California-After months of rehabilitation and care at the Aquarium of the Pacific, a loggerhead sea turtle has returned to the ocean. Aquarium staff released the sea turtle off the coast of Southern California from their boat as Aquarium donors and other stakeholders watched and cheered from aboard Harbor Breeze Cruises. The Aquarium is also announcing the construction of a new space to help sea turtles, and the public is invited to join the effort. All species of sea turtles found in waters of the United States are listed as either endangered or threatened and are protected by the Endangered Species Act.

The loggerhead sea turtle released by the Aquarium was rescued near Avila Beach, California, on June 17, 2024. It was then transferred to the Aquarium of the Pacific that day for examination and treatment. The turtle arrived very thin and weak, with cloudy eyes and invasive barnacles embedded in its flippers. The Aquarium's veterinary and animal husbandry staff members successfully rehabilitated the turtle back to a healthy body condition to prepare for its release.

"After operating on and treating this sea turtle over this past several months, we were pleased to see her heal and regain a normal appetite and behavior," said Dr. Lance Adams, Aquarium of the Pacific veterinarian. "After treatment, its eyes are now clear, and its feisty personality was revealed." The turtle gained approximately ten pounds during the recovery at the Aquarium.

The sea turtle is approximately twenty-two inches in length and now weighs around sixty pounds. It is a subadult and is estimated to be between ten and fifteen years old. "It took the loggerhead a bit to start to perk up, but once it started eating, we saw great improvement in its weight and energy levels," said Stacy Hammond, Aquarium of the Pacific aquarist.

The turtle was rescued by experts at The Marine Mammal Center's field office based in Morro Bay and transferred to the Aquarium with authorization from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Fisheries office for a medical evaluation and care because of the Aquarium's expertise in treating and releasing stranded and injured sea turtles.

The Aquarium of the Pacific is also proud to announce that it received a grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation with support from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), as well as matched funds from the KM Shimano Family Foundation, to construct an on-site sea turtle rehabilitation enclosure near its Molina Animal Care Center. The space includes an approximately 4,000-gallon enclosure but will require other specialty equipment and medical supplies. These will further the Aquarium's efforts in caring for future stranded, sick, or injured sea turtles, so they can heal and return to their natural habitat. Since every rescued sea turtle has a story of survival, the public is invited to help write the next chapter. You can support sea turtle rehabilitation efforts and make an impact for these endangered creatures that will last generations by donating here: https://pacific.to/saveturtles

The Aquarium of the Pacific has rehabilitated and released sea turtles since 2000. Some have been fitted with satellite tracking devices that allow scientists to gather data about their migration patterns and habitats. Loggerhead sea turtles have a wide habitat range, so the status of this species is determined by specific regions. In the northern Pacific Ocean, loggerhead sea turtles are listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act, according to NOAA. All loggerhead sea turtles are currently threatened or endangered and are protected under the Endangered Species Act. The last rescued loggerhead sea turtle brought to the Aquarium was rehabilitated and released back into the ocean in November 2015. The Aquarium also rehabilitated and released a rescued green sea turtle in May 2024.