Aquarium of the Pacific Releases a Rescued Green Sea Turtle into the Wild after Rehabilitation

September 19, 2025

September 19, 2025, Long Beach, California-A green sea turtle has returned to the ocean after receiving rehabilitation and care at the Aquarium of the Pacific. Aquarium staff released the rehabilitated sea turtle at Seal Beach due to its proximity to a resident green sea turtle population. "Our animal care team has been looking forward to seeing this rescued sea turtle return home fully healed," said Nate Jaros, vice president of animal care at the Aquarium of the Pacific.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) research team rescued the turtle during a routine survey on July 1, 2025 in the San Gabriel River. The turtle was transferred to the Aquarium for further treatment, including removing a tangled fishing line that was wrapped around the front right flipper and to the margin of its mouth. Medical exams revealed that there was no fishing hook. The Aquarium's veterinary team removed the fishing line from around the flipper and by the mouth and cleaned and sutured the associated wounds. This adult female green sea turtle spent the past three months recovering at the Aquarium and weighs approximately one hundred thirty-two pounds.

In addition to helping rescued sea turtles, the Aquarium of the Pacific's Southern California Sea Turtle Monitoring Project is a community science program where Aquarium volunteers track sea turtle activity along the San Gabriel River every month. The program is in partnership with the Los Cerritos Wetlands Authority, Tidal Influence, and NOAA Fisheries conservation and wildlife management groups. This also includes a photo identification program where volunteers take photos of turtles surfacing in the river. "The data that we're seeing through the community science monitoring program shows that they're very active near the outflow of the Los Cerritos Wetlands, which illustrates what an important habitat it is for sea turtles," said Dawn Nygren-Burkert, conservation volunteer coordinator at the Aquarium of the Pacific.

The Aquarium of the Pacific has rehabilitated and released rescued sea turtles since 2000. Some have been fitted with satellite tracking devices that allowed scientists to gather data about their migration patterns and habitats. The Aquarium recently rehabilitated and released an olive ridley sea turtle in August 2025. All species of sea turtles found in waters of the United States are listed as either endangered or threatened and are protected by the Endangered Species Act. Their numbers have fallen to the point that every turtle is important to the future of the species.

The Aquarium of the Pacific also announced in October 2024 that it received a grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation with support from NOAA, as well as matched funds from the KM Shimano Family Foundation, to construct an on-site sea turtle rehabilitation area near its Molina Animal Care Center. The space includes an approximately 4,000-gallon enclosure but will require other specialty equipment and medical supplies. These will further the Aquarium's efforts in caring for future stranded, sick, or injured sea turtles, so they can heal and return to their natural habitat. Since every rescued sea turtle has a story of survival, the public is invited to help write the next chapter. You can support sea turtle rehabilitation efforts and make an impact for these endangered creatures that will last generations by donating to the rescue to release campaign.