Members of the Aquarium of the Pacific’s veterinary and animal husbandry staff plans to release a rehabilitated turtle they have been caring for, into the waters of Seal Beach.
A spokesman for the Aquarium said the release was slated for Thursday, Aug. 15.
Staff members of the Marine Mammal Center’s Morro Bay based operations rescued the 50-pound green sea turtle and brought it to the Aquarium of the Pacific for a medical evaluation and care because of the Aquarium’s expertise in treating and releasing stranded and injured sea turtles.
The release location—near the mouth of the San Gabriel River—was chosen for its warm water temperatures and because it is a common migratory habitat for this sea turtle species.
Aquarium volunteers conduct a monthly count of green sea turtles seen in the river through a citizen science program.
The Aquarium of the Pacific has rehabilitated and releases several sea turtles in recent years, including green sea turtles and loggerhead sea turtles. Some have been fitted with satellite tracking devices that allow scientists to gather data about their migration patters and habitats. The sea turtle being released on Thursday is fitted with a microchip ID. According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, breeding colony populations of green sea turtles in Florida and on the Pacific Coast of Mexico are listed as endangered; all others are listed as threatened.
To learn more, visit aquariumofpacific.org and click on Conservation
