Olive Ridley Sea Turtle
As a Founding Member of the Oregon Coast Aquarium, I take a special pride in their efforts. It was very gratifying to learn that they had managed to restore enough health to two rescued sea turtles that they could be moved to their next level of rehabilitation in San Diego. Maude, a green sea turtle and Myrtle, an Olive Ridley sea turtle were rescued in November along the southwest Washington coast and in nearby Agate Beach .
The search and rescue functions of the Coast Guard include the use of infrared imaging as well as radar. It has been reported that sea turtles are sometimes confused with humans as they bask on the surface and wave their flippers in the air. According to the co-pilot of the HC-130, Lt. Antone Alongi, “we see turtles from the air but this is the first time we’ve had any aboard.” The Sacramento-based Coast Guard crew transported the turtles to San Diego for further rehabilitation and hopefully eventual release into the wild.
Dan Lewer, a veterinarian at the Oregon Coast Aquarium, works on the Green sea turtle that was found on the Long Beach Peninsula in Washington.
Read the full story about Myrtle and Maude’s rescues.
More information about their trip to San Diego.
The Aquarium is one of many really fascinating places to visit here on the Oregon Coast. Plan to include it on your next visit. You will not be sorry that you did.
