A wayward loggerhead sea turtle that needed to be rescued near Vancouver Island is recovering well.
She’s been named Moira and her visit to B.C. is incredibly rare.
Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) confirms she is only the second confirmed sighting of a loggerhead on B.C.’s coast — and the first ever to be taken into care. The female loggerhead is being nursed back to health by the Vancouver Aquarium Marine Mammal Rescue Society.
Moira was found by fishers checking their crab traps and cleaning up litter back in February at Pedder Bay.
On Thursday, staff shared an update on Moira's rehabilitation.
"Demonstrating resilience, Moira has adapted to her temporary environment at the Vancouver Aquarium and is consistently eating a variety of seafood for the first time since her rescue,” says spokesperson Todd Hauptman.
Moira has been offered a spread of seafood, including clams, shrimp, capelin, herring, squid, crab and geo duck.
"She has eaten surf clam and shrimp, but currently has a fondness for squid,” says Hauptman.
Eating consistently is key and will provide her with the necessary nutrition and strength for recovery, staff say.
Moira is being cared for in a quarantine pool for her rehabilitation so her specific temperature needs can be met.
Back in February when she was rescued using a DFO permit, the hypothermic turtle was rushed to the Vancouver Aquarium. Moira’s core temperature was just 8.4 C on admission. Normal temperatures range from 14.5 to 20 C, meaning cold shock had set in and would have eventually been fatal for the turtle.
"Moira's body temperature has stabilized and is currently 26 degrees Celsius,” says Hauptman.
The goal is for her to be released back into warmer waters in the wild.
"Moira still has a long road to recovery, and the plan is to continue monitoring her closely and providing her with the care she needs to regain her strength,” adds Hauptman.
She will not be on display to the public, so people cannot visit her. Vancouver Aquarium Marine Mammal Rescue Society says it's appreciative of the community support for Moira.
