Multiple organizations collaborate to protect
endangered species and preserve marine life
SAN
DIEGO, Oct. 24, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The
Vancouver Aquarium Marine Mammal Rescue Society (VAMMR), SeaWorld
San Diego Rescue and Turtles Fly Too worked together recently to
transfer rescued loggerhead sea turtle, Moira. Found cold stunned
in British Columbia, Moira was
transported to the warm waters of San
Diego where she has now been returned to the wild. Since her
rescue in February 2024, VAMMR and
the Vancouver Aquarium have been working tirelessly to bring Moira
back to health.
Moira was rescued on February 4 in
Pedder Bay, British Columbia. The
VAMMR team stabilized the severely hypothermic sea turtle whose
core temperature was only 8 degrees Celsius (46.4 degrees
Fahrenheit) when she was admitted. Moira is estimated to be 15 to
20 years old. At the time of her rescue, she was the second
reported sighting of a loggerhead sea turtle in British Columbia. Loggerhead turtles are
typically found in tropical and subtropical regions of the Atlantic
and Pacific Oceans. The rescue would not have been possible without
permission from Fisheries and Oceans Canada. Local marine biologist
Dr. Anna Hall was first to respond
to this rescue. VAMMR is the only facility in Western Canada that can provide the unique
care that this animal required. Moira has been fitted with a
satellite tracker, allowing her care team to follow her journey and
monitor her movements.
"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 Rescue at SeaWorld San
Diego. "This case stands out for its multi-agency approach, with
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA) 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."
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 U.S., all assets
must include the following language on the asset or included in
photo/video description.
"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
About Vancouver Aquarium
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), Canada's Accredited Zoos and Aquariums (CAZA),
and Humane Conservation Certified by American Humane.
About Vancouver Aquarium Marine Mammal Rescue
Society
The Vancouver Aquarium Marine Mammal Rescue Society ("VAMMR") runs
Canada's only dedicated marine
mammal rescue facility. Each year the team responds to over 300
marine animal emergencies, including the rescue and rehabilitation
of sick, injured, or orphaned animals and the disentanglement of
sea lions trapped by marine debris. Hundreds of marine mammals
(from seals, sea lions, and sea otters to small cetaceans) have
been given a second chance at life thanks to VAMMR.
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 $20 million to nearly 1,400 organizations to
advance critical research on every continent. A portion of park
proceeds goes toward supporting these longstanding conservation
commitments. SeaWorld parks are in Orlando, San
Antonio, San Diego, and
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
(UAE). SeaWorld is part of the United Parks & Resorts Inc.
(NYSE:PRKS) portfolio of theme park brands. For more information,
visit us at SeaWorld.com.
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