Rescued Sea Turtles Recuperating at Pitsburgh Zoo & Aquarium

Sea Turtle Second Chance Program Offers Hope

March 3, 2025

Seven rescued Kemp’s ridley, four green, and two loggerhead sea turtles are being rehabilitated at the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium as part of its Sea Turtle Second Chance Program.

The Kemp’s ridley turtles were rescued by the New England Aquarium the last week of November. They were found along the Massachusetts coast after washing ashore due to the drop in ocean temperature. They were unable to reach the warmer gulfstream and were stranded in cold water that left their bodies stunned. They arrived in Pittsburgh in December. In January, due to so many strandings this year, the Zoo was asked to take a second batch, consisting of the four green and two loggerhead sea turtles. All are between five and ten years of age and suffering from pneumonia, as well as a variety of wounds. The turtles are recovering well and continue to make progress each day.

The Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium’s Sea Turtle Second Chance Program, sponsored by Peoples, has been successfully rescuing and rehabilitating sea turtles every year for more than a decade. Located within the upper Aquarium and viewable from a large outside window, the sea turtle rehabilitation center provides world-class care with the goal of release and a renewed hope for survival for every turtle. (article continues below ⇓)

“They were among hundreds of turtles that are beached or stranded every year due to injury, disease, illness, or environmental threats,” said Pittsburgh Zoo Aquarist Jen Dancico. “During their recovery period, the turtles are given a restorative diet and physical rehabilitation by our animal care staff until they stabilize.”

It is a labor of love for Zoo and Aquarium staff. “Our Aquarium team does a phenomenal job with the day-to-day husbandry and care of the turtles,” said Zoo Associate Veterinarian Ellis Wright. “The Zoo’s veterinary team relies on their expertise to pick up on any changes that need addressing as the turtles are closely montitored. Medical records are reviewed, physical examinations and diagnostics (such as radiographs and bloodwork) are performed, and antibiotics and vitamins are administered.”

The Zoo’s most recent batch of turtles arrived in December 2023, and, after regaining their health, were successfully returned to the Atlantic Ocean in April 2024. A release for the current batch of rescued sea turtles is pending for March 2025.

To support the Sea Turtle Second Chance Program and conservation efforts, the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium has partnered with Burgatory, launching a Sea Turtle Shake that will be available from March 6 through March 12 at all Burgatory locations around town. Each delicious shake is hand spun with house made Vanilla Bean Ice Cream and full of Chocolate, Caramel, Toasted Pecans & Pretzels. $1 from each shake served benefits conservation programs at the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium like the Sea Turtle Second Chance Program. Make sure to try it!