A rescued green sea turtle weighing more than 200 pounds made her public debut Wednesday at the Aquarium of the Pacific, where she is now recovering from serious injuries sustained after becoming entangled in fishing line.
The turtle, named Meatloaf, was rescued Jan. 14 from the San Gabriel River after being spotted by community science volunteers participating in a sea turtle monitoring program, according to the aquarium.
Veterinary staff determined that fishing line and rope had become tightly wrapped around one of Meatloaf’s front flippers, severely damaging the limb and cutting off blood supply.
“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,” Dr. Lance Adams, the aquarium’s director of veterinary services, said in a statement.
Meatloaf is now viewable inside the aquarium’s newly opened sea turtle rehabilitation area, a dedicated space designed to treat and care for stranded or injured turtles before they can potentially be released back into the wild.
Meatloaf, a rescued green sea turtle weighing more than 200 pounds, is recovering in the sea turtle rehabilitation area at the Aquarium of the Pacific after being rescued from the San Gabriel River with severe fishing line injuries. April 2026. (Aquarium of the Pacific)
Meatloaf, a rescued green sea turtle weighing more than 200 pounds, is recovering in the sea turtle rehabilitation area at the Aquarium of the Pacific after being rescued from the San Gabriel River with severe fishing line injuries. April 2026. (Aquarium of the Pacific)
Meatloaf, a rescued green sea turtle weighing more than 200 pounds, is recovering in the sea turtle rehabilitation area at the Aquarium of the Pacific after being rescued from the San Gabriel River with severe fishing line injuries. April 2026. (Aquarium of the Pacific)
Aquarium officials say Meatloaf is one of the largest sea turtles they have cared for, weighing in at more than 200 pounds.
The facility is one of only two locations in Southern California with specialized rehabilitation space for sea turtles, according to the organization.
Another rescued turtle named Porkchop previously used the new rehabilitation area and was released into the wild in February. The turtle has since been spotted swimming with other sea turtles, offering hope that Meatloaf may eventually make a similar recovery.
Visitors can learn more about Meatloaf’s rehabilitation journey at the aquarium and contribute to her care through donations that support ongoing veterinary treatment and conservation efforts.
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