© 2024 KLCC

KLCC
136 W 8th Ave
Eugene OR 97401
541-463-6000
klcc@klcc.org

Contact Us

FCC Applications
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Tropical Sea Turtle Slowly Recovering At The Oregon Coast Aquarium

nationalgeographic.com

An unexpected discovery was made on an Oysterville, Washington beach. A sea turtle found on winter solstice is currently recovering from its long journey at the Oregon Coast Aquarium in Newport.

Solstice is a sub-adult olive ridley turtle typically found in tropical waters. Her body temperature has risen 12 degrees since her rehabilitation began, but she isn’t out of the woods yet. Erin Paxton with the Oregon Coast Aquarium says the northwest waters are too cold for the sea turtle species.
Paxton: “The warm currents of water from where they are located will carry them or they will follow a warm water of current north. And then if they get further north, that warm water dissipates and all the sudden they’re surrounded by cold water. And because they are reptiles they become hypothermic very quickly.”

Olive ridley turtles are endangered and her recovery is important to the Newport Aquarium. Paxton says Solstice has been moving around and she’s still warming up to her ideal 75 degree body temperature.

If you encounter a sea turtle, Paxton says you shouldn’t touch it or try to move it.

If you find a sea turtle on a northwest beach, call the Oregon State Police Wildlife hotline at 800-452-7888.