For the First Time, the Aquarium Invites the Public to See Meatloaf—A More Than Two-Hundred Pound Rescued Sea Turtle

April 8, 2026

Visitors to the Aquarium of the Pacific will be able to see Meatloaf in the new sea turtle rehabilitation area starting on April 8, 2026

April 8, 2026, Long Beach, California-One of the largest sea turtles rescued by the Aquarium of the Pacific is making a splash in the new sea turtle rehabilitation area. Visitors to the Aquarium can now see Meatloaf, a more than two-hundred-pound green sea turtle as she goes through rehabilitation with the goal of release to the wild.

Meatloaf was found in the San Gabriel River entangled in fishing line and rope and was tethered to debris when she was rescued by the Aquarium on January 14, 2026, thanks to a partnership with and authorization from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). The turtle was transferred to the Aquarium for medical evaluation and care because of the Aquarium's expertise in treating and releasing stranded and injured sea turtles.

"The entangled line severely damaged a front flipper, cutting off blood supply. We have been doing all we can, including surgery to try and save the flipper. It is showing some early promising signs of healing," said Dr. Lance Adams, Aquarium of the Pacific's director of veterinary services. Aquarium staff will continue to provide medical care for the rescued green sea turtle.

This rescue occurred during the Aquarium of the Pacific's Southern California Sea Turtle Monitoring community science program, where Aquarium volunteers gather weekly and monthly field data on the green sea turtles seen in the San Gabriel River. The sea turtle entanglement was identified by Aquarium community science volunteers, who reached out to the NOAA stranding hotline. The volunteers continued to watch over the turtle to ensure a successful rescue by Aquarium staff.

Meatloaf is now swimming in the sea turtle rehabilitation area that opened on January 28, 2026, at the Aquarium. The new space at the Aquarium doubled its capacity for caring for stranded, sick, or injured sea turtles so they have a chance to heal and return to their natural habitats. The area includes an approximately 4,000-gallon rehabilitation pool to accommodate rescued sea turtles found in Los Angeles County and beyond. There is an audio-visual display where visitors can learn more about these efforts.

The Aquarium is currently one of only two facilities in Southern California that have dedicated spaces to rehabilitate sea turtles. Porkchop, the first rescued sea turtle to use the new area, was released into the wild in February and since then has been spotted with other sea turtles. The Aquarium hopes that Meatloaf will be able to do the same.

The Aquarium has been caring for turtles since 2000, including green, olive ridley and loggerhead sea turtles. In addition to rescuing and rehabilitation turtles, Aquarium volunteers have been documenting the presence of green sea turtles in the San Gabriel River since 2008 through the community science monitoring program.

All species of sea turtles found in waters of the United States are listed as either endangered or threatened and are protected by the Endangered Species Act. If you see a stranded sea turtle in the San Gabriel River or elsewhere, please call the West Coast Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle Stranding Network's 24/7 hotline at 562-506-4315

One rescue is never the last. The Aquarium is asking for the public's help to fund the specialized medical care needed for Meatloaf to recover and be deemed ready to be released back to the wild. Donations to the Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Program support expert care, critical surgeries, and rehabilitation for Meatloaf and future rescued turtles.