Loggerhead Sea Turtle Released Off San Diego Coast Following Months of Rehabilitation
A collaborative effort between SeaWorld San Diego Rescue, the Vancouver Aquarium Marine Mammal Rescue Society (VAMMR), and Turtles Fly Too has successfully rehabilitated and released Moira, a loggerhead sea turtle, off the San Diego coast. The turtle was found cold-stunned in British Columbia in February 2024, with a core temperature of only 8°C. After months of rehabilitation, Moira, estimated to be 15-20 years old, was fitted with a satellite tracker before her release. This rescue marks only the second reported sighting of a loggerhead turtle in British Columbia, as these species typically inhabit tropical and subtropical waters.
Un'iniziativa collaborativa tra SeaWorld San Diego Rescue, la Vancouver Aquarium Marine Mammal Rescue Society (VAMMR) e Turtles Fly Too ha portato con successo alla riabilitazione e rilascio di Moira, una tartaruga caretta, al largo della costa di San Diego. La tartaruga è stata trovata in uno stato di assideramento in British Columbia nel febbraio 2024, con una temperatura centrale di soli 8°C. Dopo mesi di riabilitazione, Moira, stimata avere 15-20 anni, è stata dotata di un localizzatore satellitare prima del suo rilascio. Questo salvataggio segna solo il secondo avvistamento riportato di una tartaruga caretta in British Columbia, poiché queste specie abitualmente popolano acque tropicali e subtropicali.
Un esfuerzo colaborativo entre SeaWorld San Diego Rescue, la Vancouver Aquarium Marine Mammal Rescue Society (VAMMR) y Turtles Fly Too ha rehabilitado y liberado con éxito a Moira, una tortuga boba, frente a la costa de San Diego. La tortuga fue encontrada aturdida por el frío en Columbia Británica en febrero de 2024, con una temperatura central de solo 8°C. Después de meses de rehabilitación, Moira, que se estima tiene entre 15 y 20 años, fue equipada con un rastreador por satélite antes de su liberación. Este rescate marca solo el segundo avistamiento registrado de una tortuga boba en Columbia Británica, ya que estas especies suelen habitar aguas tropicales y subtropicales.
SeaWorld San Diego Rescue, Vancouver Aquarium Marine Mammal Rescue Society (VAMMR) 및 Turtles Fly Too의 협력으로 모이라라는 바다거북이 샌디에이고 해안에서 성공적으로 재활 치료를 받고 방류되었습니다. 모이라는 2024년 2월 브리티시컬럼비아에서 추위에 얼어붙은 상태로 발견되었으며, 체온은 겨우 8°C였습니다. 몇 달간의 재활 치료 후, 모이라는 15-20세로 추정되며 방류 전에 위성 추적 장치가 장착되었습니다. 이번 구조는 브리티시컬럼비아에서 바다거북이 두 번째로 목격된 사례로, 이 종은 일반적으로 열대 및 아열대 해역에 서식합니다.
Un effort collaboratif entre SeaWorld San Diego Rescue, la Vancouver Aquarium Marine Mammal Rescue Society (VAMMR) et Turtles Fly Too a réussi à réhabiliter et relâcher Moira, une tortue caouanne, au large de la côte de San Diego. La tortue a été retrouvée en état d'hypothermie en Colombie-Britannique en février 2024, avec une température corporelle de seulement 8°C. Après des mois de réhabilitation, Moira, estimée avoir entre 15 et 20 ans, a été équipée d'un tracker satellite avant son relâchement. Ce sauvetage représente seulement le deuxième signalement d'une tortue caouanne en Colombie-Britannique, car ces espèces habitent généralement des eaux tropicales et subtropicales.
Eine gemeinschaftliche Anstrengung von SeaWorld San Diego Rescue, der Vancouver Aquarium Marine Mammal Rescue Society (VAMMR) und Turtles Fly Too hat erfolgreich Moira, eine unechte Karettschildkröte, vor der Küste von San Diego rehabilitiert und freigelassen. Die Schildkröte wurde im Februar 2024 in British Columbia, aufgrund von Kältestarre, mit einer Körpertemperatur von nur 8°C gefunden. Nach monatelanger Rehabilitation wurde Moira, die auf ein Alter von 15-20 Jahren geschätzt wird, vor ihrer Freilassung mit einem Satellitentracker ausgestattet. Diese Rettungsaktion stellt erst das zweite dokumentierte Sichtung einer unechten Karettschildkröte in British Columbia dar, da diese Art typischerweise tropische und subtropische Gewässer bewohnt.
- Successful multi-agency conservation effort demonstrating operational capabilities
- Implementation of satellite tracking technology for post-release monitoring
- None.
Multiple organizations collaborate to protect endangered species and preserve marine life
Moira was rescued on February 4 in Pedder Bay,
"This has been a remarkable story for Moira. I am very proud of the vital role that VAMMR and Vancouver Aquarium staff have played in getting her ready to be released by SeaWorld and Turtles Fly Too," said VAMMR Executive Director Dr. Martin Haulena.
Upon her arrival to SeaWorld San Diego, the veterinary and rescue teams assessed Moira's readiness for return, utilizing their extensive knowledge in the care of loggerhead turtles. Moira acclimated well to her new environment, swimming beautifully in larger, deeper pools. Her impressive diving abilities during the evaluation along with a healthy blood sample demonstrated that she was fully prepared to return to her natural habitat in the ocean this week.
The effort to transport a single sea turtle took the efforts of multiple organizations because it is crucial to return her to the wild, especially given the endangered status of loggerhead turtles in the North Pacific. With their population dwindling, each turtle—particularly females, who are essential to the species' reproductive capacity—plays a vital role in their survival. Protecting these turtles is not only about saving an individual but also about preserving marine life and maintaining the health of the broader marine ecosystem.
"Moira's journey showcases the collaborative efforts of our rescue team at SeaWorld, alongside partners from the Vancouver Aquarium, the Vancouver Aquarium Marine Mammal Rescue Society and Turtles Fly Too," said Jeni Smith, Curator of
The president of Turtles Fly Too (TF2), Leslie Weinstein, also acknowledged the successful cooperation among all organizations involved with the transport, saying, "Our efforts to rescue even one sea turtle like Moira underscores the essential role of TF2's medevac flights in protecting endangered marine wildlife. This successful loggerhead airlift shows how coordinated medevac flights can truly make a difference. When organizations unite in conservation we're not just saving an individual—we're committing to biodiversity and contributing to the survival of a species."
Video and photos here.
*In the
"Activities conducted under the Stranding Agreement between NMFS and SeaWorld California under the Authority of the MMPA"
For more information:
Vancouver Aquarium and VAMMR
Todd Hauptman, Communications Manager
Todd.hauptman@vanaqua.org / 604-376-2252
SeaWorld San Diego
Tracy Spahr
Tracy.spahr@seaworld.com / 619-203-6468
Turtles Fly Too
Sara Hertwig
Sara@turtlesflytoo.org / (303) 775-3201
Since opening in 1956, the Vancouver Aquarium has connected more than 50 million people from around the world to our oceans and inspired them to take action to address key threats. Located in Stanley Park, the Vancouver Aquarium is home to hundreds of incredible species. The Vancouver Aquarium is a fully accredited member of Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums (AMMPA),
About Vancouver Aquarium Marine Mammal Rescue Society
The Vancouver Aquarium Marine Mammal Rescue Society ("VAMMR") runs
VAMMR is an independent registered charity proud to be working in partnership with the Vancouver Aquarium. Donations will go directly to VAMMR and help rescue, rehabilitate, and release marine mammals in distress. You can provide your support by donating today at www.vammr.org.
About SeaWorld
SeaWorld is a leading marine life theme park and accredited zoo and aquarium that provides experiences that matter while educating and inspiring guests of all ages to care about marine life. Welcoming millions of guests every year, the parks offer fun and enriching experiences from up-close animal encounters and year-round educational programs to award-winning marine-life-themed rides and attractions, special events, and exciting entertainment. For more than 60 years SeaWorld has advanced the conservation of marine life in and outside its parks through science, education, and exceptional animal care that is Humane Certified by American Humane and accredited by the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums and the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. SeaWorld is one of the largest marine animal rescue organizations in the world, helping more than 41,000 animals to date. The SeaWorld Conservation Fund, a non-profit foundation established in 2003, has provided more than
About Turtles Fly Too
Turtles Fly Too, (TF2) is a US-based nonprofit NGO that utilizes a network of volunteer general aviation pilots to provide medevac flights like the one that transported Moira. To date, they have helped rescue more than 4.500 critically endangered wildlife species. Join this flight for a cause and support future medevac airlifts: https://www.turtlesflytoo.org/donate.
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SOURCE SeaWorld
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