VanAqua MMR

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Fediverse community for the Marine Mammal Rescue Centre!

This is currently an unofficial community. If any VAMMR staff members want to take over this community, I'm more than happy to transfer it over :)

The Vancouver Aquarium Marine Mammal Rescue Society (VAMMR) is a global leader in marine mammal rescue, research, and rehabilitation. [They] respond to over 300 marine mammal emergencies each year and operate Canada's only dedicated marine mammal hospital facility.

founded 4 months ago

MODERATORS

[email protected]

Current Patient: Moira (only the second reported sighting of a loggerhead sea turtle in BC waters) (mmrpatients.org)

submitted 4 months ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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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

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[–] [email protected] 5 points 4 months ago (1 children)

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.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 4 months ago

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.