Loggerhead sea turtle returns to the ocean following months of rehabilitation

Moira being returned to the ocean (Image courtesy of SeaWorld/ Activities conducted under the Stranding Agreement between NMFS and SeaWorld California under the Authority of the MMPA)

SeaWorld San Diego Rescue, Vancouver Aquarium Marine Mammal Rescue Society (VAMMR), and Turtles Fly too joined forces to help transfer Moira, a rescued loggerhead sea turtle. Moira was found and rescued on February 4, 2024, with cold stunned in British Columbia, and was brought to San Diego where she was returned to the wild.

When Moira was originally rescued, she was severely hypothermic with a core temperature of only 46.4 degrees Fahrenheit when she was admitted with the VAMMR team.¹ For turtles, cold-stunning is when they become very weak and inactive due to exposure to cold temperatures usually below 50 degrees Fahrenheit. They tend to become lethargic and are eventually unable to continue swimming, resulting in them floating to the surface where winds and/or tides could wash them ashore. If not treated or temperatures remain low, they can develop secondary health issues or even die.²

The team estimated Moira’s age to be somewhere between 15-20 years old. According to the organizational release, at the time she was rescued, Moira was the second loggerhead sea turtle sighting in British Columbia. With the permission of the Fisheries and Oceans Canada, local marine biologist Anna Hall, BSc, MSc, PhD, was first to respond for the rescue.¹

"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 Martin Haulena, DVM, MSc, Dipl. ACZM.

Moira was transferred to SeaWorld San Diego where she was assessed by its veterinary and rescue teams on her readiness to return to the wild. They stated she had adjusted nicely to her new environment, was swimming beautifully in larger, deeper pools, and her diving abilities during evaluation combined with her healthy blood sample showed he team she was ready.

When transferring a single sea turtle multiple organizations are needed due to the importance of returning loggerheads to the wild not that they were given endangered status of loggerhead turtles in the North Pacific.¹ Females are particularly important because they are essential to the reproductive capacity of the species, playing a crucial role in the species survival and 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 rescue at SeaWorld San Diego.¹

"This case stands out for its multi-agency approach, with US Fish and Wildlife Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and international customs all playing crucial roles in ensuring her safe transfer. Preparing for her return to the wild is a testament to the hard work and commitment of everyone involved in her rescue, rehabilitation and return."

Reference

1. Loggerhead Sea Turtle Released Off San Diego Coast Following Months of Rehabilitation. News release. SeaWorld. October 24, 2024. Accessed October 28, 2024. https://prnmedia.prnewswire.com/news-releases/loggerhead-sea-turtle-released-off-san-diego-coast-following-months-of-rehabilitation-302286546.html
2. Cold-Stunning and Sea Turtles – Frequently Asked Questions | NOAA Fisheries. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries. Accessed October 28, 2024. https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/national/marine-life-distress/cold-stunning-and-sea-turtles-frequently-asked-questions