Current Patient: Moira (only the second reported sighting of a loggerhead sea turtle in BC waters)
Current Patient: Moira (only the second reported sighting of a loggerhead sea turtle in BC waters)
Link to profile: https://mmrpatients.org/patient/cc2401-moira/
Story
On February 4, 2024, our team was alerted to a loggerhead sea turtle in distress, found floating in a kelp bed in the cold waters near Pedder Bay, about 40 minutes from Victoria, BC. The turtle, now nicknamed Moira, was in a critical state when discovered, prompting an immediate response from local authorities and marine biologists. This incident marks only the second time a loggerhead sea turtle has been reported in BC waters, highlighting the rarity of such events and the importance of swift conservation efforts. Loggerhead sea turtles are a federally protected species in the USA, listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act since 1978, underscoring the significance of Moira's rescue and rehabilitation. Learn more about her rescue story here: https://vammr.org/rescue-news/moiras-rescue/
Name
Moira was named after Moira Rose, a fictional character in the award-winning Canadian television show Schitt's Creek.
Patient Record (as of 2024-06-23)
Species: Loggerhead Sea Turtle
Patient ID: CC2401
Admitted on: 2024/02/04
Collection Site: Pedder Bay, BC
Reason for Admission: Cold-shocked and Hyperthermic
Weight at Admission: 36.22 kg
Patient Status: in care
Time in Care: 140 days (4 months, 2 weeks, 4 days)
Current Habitat: In Quarantine
Update from March 12, 2024
After her initial care at our VAMMR hospital, Moira was recently transferred to one of the Vancouver Aquarium’s behind-the-scenes quarantine pools. This move was made to accommodate Moira’s warm water environmental requirements. As a result, Moira's body temperature has stabilized at 26 degrees Celsius.
Update from March 29, 2024
While Moira still has a long road to recovery, she continues to progress well and recently completed an important milestone - eating! Her first meals have consisted of surf clam, squid, and shrimp. It is our hope that she can be released in warmer waters later this year.