An Olive ridley sea turtle found “cold shocked” and stranded north of Yachats last month is now in its second stage of rehabilitation at SeaWorld San Diego.
The Oregon Coast Aquarium rescued the turtle Nov. 19 after receiving calls about a stranded turtle at Beachside State Park between Yachats and Waldport.
Cold-stunning is when sea turtles become weak and inactive and unable to swim from exposure to cold temperatures, typically when waters are below 50 degrees.
The Newport aquarium named him Sir Acha for his “spicy” personality. He was getting warm baths to slowly raise his temperature without shocking his system.
On Saturday, the nonprofit Turtles Fly Too flew Sir Acha from Newport to SeaWorld San Diego, where caretakers will continue to raise his temperature by a few degrees each day as he acclimates to his new temporary home.
The rescue teams says Sir Acha is in much better shape than he was just a few weeks ago, and is alert and active. He will be returned to the ocean once the water is warmer and he can eat, swim and dive on his own.
Olive ridley sea turtles are found worldwide and currently listed under the Endangered Species Act.
