Rescued Loggerhead Sea Turtle Moira Successfully Released Back into the Wild on West Coast

Moira, a loggerhead sea turtle rescued by the Vancouver Aquarium Marine Mammal Rescue Society (VAMMR), has made a successful return to the wild thanks to collaborative efforts between VAMMR, SeaWorld San Diego Rescue, and Turtles Fly Too. Found cold-stunned in Pedder Bay, British Columbia, on February 4, Moira was in critical condition, with a dangerously low core temperature of just 8 degrees Celsius (46.4 degrees Fahrenheit).

After receiving months of dedicated care from the VAMMR team, who stabilized and rehabilitated her, Moira was transported to the warmer waters of San Diego. Upon her arrival at SeaWorld, veterinary teams conducted thorough evaluations to assess her readiness for release. Moira demonstrated her strength by swimming beautifully in larger pools and exhibiting impressive diving abilities.

This release is particularly significant, as Moira is estimated to be 15 to 20 years old and was only the second reported sighting of a loggerhead turtle in British Columbia. Loggerhead turtles are typically found in tropical and subtropical regions of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. To aid in her post-release monitoring, Moira has been fitted with a satellite tracker, allowing her care team to follow her journey as she acclimates back to her natural habitat.

Moira demonstrated her strength by swimming beautifully in larger pools and exhibiting impressive diving abilities.Photo byCourtesy Photo