After receiving nearly one year of rehabilitation and medical care at the Aquarium of the Pacific, a rescued green sea turtle has made its way back into the wild. Aquarium staff released the sea turtle along the San Gabriel River because of the proximity to a resident green sea turtle population. When the turtle was initially rescued in March of 2025, it was in a life-threatening condition and transferred to the Aquarium of the Pacific for medical evaluation and care because of the Aquarium’s expertise in treating and releasing stranded and injured sea turtles.
Aquarium staff rescued the subadult green sea turtle in the San Gabriel River on March 5, 2025, thanks to a partnership and permit with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Marine Fisheries Service’s (NMFS) West Coast Region. This rescue occurred during the Aquarium of the Pacific’s Southern California Sea Turtle Monitoring community science program, where Aquarium volunteers gather weekly and monthly field data on the green sea turtles seen in the San Gabriel River. Volunteers observed that the turtle was stuck in the same location in the river because of a fishing line tangled in debris that was wrapped around its flipper that prevented it from swimming away. They continued to watch over the turtle to ensure a successful rescue by Aquarium staff.
The turtle arrived at the Aquarium with 90 percent of a front flipper dead from no blood circulation, which was caused by a severe monofilament fishing line constriction injury. X-rays showed that the turtle also had a fishing hook lodged in the back of its mouth. The Aquarium’s veterinary staff were able to successfully remove the hook from its throat and the dead part of the flipper through surgery. Animal care staff then continued to tend to the turtle’s wounds and continually monitored its progress. “When this turtle first arrived, we did not know what the outcome would be because of its critical condition. We are thrilled that this turtle was able to heal and gain its strength, so much so that it was able to return home,” said Dr. Brittany Stevens, Aquarium of the Pacific veterinarian.
The Aquarium of the Pacific also opened its new sea turtle rehabilitation area on January 28, 2026. It received a grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation with support from NOAA, as well as contributions from the Molina Family Foundation and the KM Shimano Family Foundation to construct this new area near its Molina Animal Care Center. The new space includes an approximately 4,000-gallon rehabilitation pool to accommodate rescued sea turtles found in Los Angeles County and beyond and an audio-visual display where visitors can learn more about these efforts. The new space doubles the non-profit’s capacity for caring for future stranded, sick, or injured sea turtles, so they have a chance to heal and return to their natural habitats. Porkchop was the first rescued sea turtle to use the new rehabilitation area at the Aquarium of the Pacific before being released. The public is invited to help the Aquarium answer the call of turtles in need with a donation to the Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Program. One rescue is never the last. The Aquarium is raising $50,000 to help its response, expert medical care, and rehabilitation for injured turtles that come to its organization.
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 a green sea turtle in September 2025 and is currently caring for an over 200-pound green sea turtle (rescued in January 2026) with the goal of release to the wild. 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. If you see a stranded sea turtle in the San Gabriel River or elsewhere, please call the West Coast Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle Stranding Network’s 24/7 hotline at 562-506-4315.
Credit: The Aquarium of the Pacific.
