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During the winter months, the Oregon coast witnesses a sharp increase in sea turtle strandings. Pacific green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas) and olive ridley sea turtles (Lepidochelys olivacea) are two species that most commonly strand in the Pacific Northwest, and both are protected by the Endangered Species Act.
The Aquarium partners with the Oregon Marine Mammal Stranding Network and other wildlife organizations to respond and treat stranded sea turtles. The Aquarium’s past successful rehabilitation and releases of stranded endangered sea turtles serve as evidence for the positive impacts of sea turtle rescue; the return of reproductively viable sea turtles back into wild breeding populations is critical for species recovery.
The Aquarium seeks to mitigate and respond to human impact of wildlife; as such, our husbandry staff respond to hundreds of cases of entangled and injured wildlife each year. Birds are especially vulnerable to entanglement, and Aquarium aviculturists remove plastic debris, fishing line, and twine from countless birds, ranging from common shorebirds to endangered snowy plovers. The Aquarium performs immediate triage, and partners with wildlife rehabilitation centers along the coast to promote injured birds’ long term care and chances of successful release.
To accommodate increased marine life rescue and improve conditions for ongoing care and rehabilitation, the Aquarium plans to build a Marine Rehabilitation Center for animal husbandry and veterinary staff to provide critical care to injured or stranded marine wildlife. The Marine Rehabilitation Center will also provide a necessary space for resident animal veterinary procedures and increase capacity for expanded research and learning opportunities with students and partner organizations.
