Ripley’s Aquarium houses its third endangered green sea turtle

Krystal Yeung

Sports

Editor

Schoona, an endangered green sea turtle, moved home to Toronto from Vancouver on April 3, 2023.

Schoona the green sea turtle glided through the exhibition tank with her new family members in Ripley’s Aquarium in Toronto.

The turtle, who was once weak and unable to find her way back to her habitat, now brings joy to Torontonians.

“It’s a turtle!” children and adults exclaimed in excitement.

Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada welcomed the green sea turtle Schoona to join their two resident turtles, Spot and Chewy, on April 3, 2023.

A spokesperson from the aquarium said their husbandry team had been working hand in hand with Vancouver Aquarium to ensure Schoona had a smooth transition, which included diet and target training.

“All three green sea turtles have expressed excitement and curiosity since Schoona’s arrival,” the spokesperson said.

They said the aquarium would be focusing on helping Schoona to adapt to the new environment and “having our turtle duo become a trio” for now.

Green sea turtles have been considered endangered under the International Union for Conservation of Nation (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species since 2004.

Jeffrey Seminoff, from the Southwest Fisheries Science Center in La Jolla, Calif., said that a decreasing population trend in the Red List Assessment shows they were exposed to threats including “residential and commercial development” and “biological resource use.”

Schoona is one of them.

The Ripley’s spokesperson said Schoona she was found in cold shock when rescued by Vancouver Aquarium in 2005.

“She has been in human care since, helping educate visitors as an ambassador for her species,” the spokesperson said.

They said Schoona who now weighs 130 kilos (288 lb) was outgrowing her former exhibit in the Vancouver Aquarium. She was relocated to the Dangerous Lagoon in Ripley’s Aquarium so “she can spread her fins freely with our two resident green turtles, Spot and Chewy.”

It isn’t easy to transport any animal, especially when it comes to a flight, they said.

“It’s not [every day] you have to move [an] endangered species across the country but our whole team worked tirelessly to make sure this move happened as smoothly as possible,” the spokesperson said.

The spokesperson said they were grateful for Air Canada’s help.

Air Canada Cargo Managing Director of Commercial Matthieu Casey said the air carrier was proud in its work to transport Schoona with the utmost care.

“We provide the highest standard of safety and attention for all animals we are entrusted to carry, and we are thrilled to see Schoona is doing well in her new home,” Casey said.

The Ripley’s spokesperson said with Schoona joining the family, they will update their educational programs for children.

“Our education team has a fantastic curriculum of programs for children of all ages, and new elements are constantly being added and changed to keep up with the latest information,” the spokesperson said.

Families are visiting the aquarium to let their kids know more about the marine life.

Marine enthusiast Denise Gray said she and her husband brought their grandchild Avery Gray to visit the aquarium.

Avery said it was her first time visiting and she liked the sharks and turtles.

“I think visiting the aquarium is just so educational and awareness, it just provides the daily income for the aquarium,” Denise said. “It’s just going to help the animals.”

Denise said she will continue to educate Avery on endangered animals of all kinds.

“Our grandbaby loves turtles and fishes, so this is our adventure today,” Denise said. “We are going to help Schoona, right?”

“Yes,” Avery said.