A loggerhead sea turtle returned to the Pacific after seven years of care

A loggerhead sea turtle that stranded on Jeju in August 2019 is going back to the Pacific after seven years of care. The Korea Times reported on October 14, 2026, that the turtle was tangled in abandoned fishing gear and arrived with severe anemia and deep cuts to its flippers, shoulder, and esophagus. Veterinarians performed seven surgeries. The last one, in February, removed infected tissue, and the team used negative-pressure wound therapy.

Aqua Planet Jeju, a government-designated marine wildlife emergency facility, led the rehabilitation. The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries said Wednesday the turtle would be released Thursday from Gwangchigi Beach in Seogwipo, chosen for its gentle slope and because it is close to where the animal stranded. There is no satellite tag and no physical tag, a choice meant to reduce stress. Deputy minister for marine policy Seo Jeong-ho spoke about the release plan. Loggerheads are a nationally protected marine species in South Korea. The report is about one turtle's return, not a population trend.