A rare sight was spotted in Canadian waters earlier this week when fisherman stumbled on a distressed loggerhead sea turtle.
The female loggerhead, that has been affectionately named Moira by rescuers, was discovered entangled in a bull kelp by local fishers who were checking crab traps in Pedder Bay, around 60 miles north of Seattle.
A warm-water species, the loggerhead is typically found in subtropical and temperate seas.
It is little surprise that Moira was struggling in the cold waters of British Columbia that have an average temperature of just 43°F in the winter months.
When found, she was hypothermic with a core body temperature of just 47.12°F, well below the usual 68-77°F. Moving slowly, it was clear the situation was critical.
The Vancouver Aquarium Marine Mammal Rescue Society (VAMMR) swiftly took action upon receiving the report and, with a permit from Fisheries and Oceans Canada, transported the turtle to the Vancouver Aquarium for urgent care.
"Moira, the turtle, is responding to treatment but remains in critical condition," Todd Hauptman from Vancouver Aquarium, who are now caring for the turtle in the specialist facility, told Newsweek. "The team has been working hard to stabilize the cold stunned, hypothermic, sea turtle."
Fisheries and Oceans Canada have confirmed this as only the second ever sighting of a loggerhead in B.C. waters, with the first one being spotted back in 2015. The last time a loggerhead was spotted in B.C. waters was about 50 nautical miles west of Tofino.
The world's second largest sea turtle, the loggerhead is listed as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act, with main threats including accidental capture in fishing nets, development of nesting beaches, and loss or degradation of nesting and foraging habitats.
While seeing one of the animals in B.C. waters is a shock, this isn't the first time a loggerhead has proven an impressive ability to cover distances. A loggerhead tagged in Melbourne Beach, Florida, showed up about 400 miles and 11 days later in Cuba, demonstrating this species' great stamina.
In March 2023, the body of a loggerhead turtle washed up in Oregon's Manzanita Beach, prompting an investigation into why the species was so far north at that time of year.
The team estimates that Moira is approximately 15 to 20 years old, and would not have survived without intervention from rescuers.
The rescue operation, which involved collaboration between local fishermen, marine biologists, and aquarium staff, highlights the importance of community efforts in safeguarding marine life.
"This rescue would not have been possible without permission from Fisheries and Oceans Canada. Local marine biologist Dr. Anna Hall was first to respond to this rescue and played a vital role in making the rescue take place," said Hauptman. "VAMMR is the only facility in Western Canada that could provide the unique care that this animal requires right now."
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