San Diego, CA (WLTX/KFBM) — A sea turtle that received rehab at the SC Aquarium in Charleston is now at it’s new home at the Birch Aquarium in San Diego, California.


The 80 pound turtle received care at the SC Aquarium after it was found injured in New Jersey in September of last year. The turtle was found near a nuclear power station. Its missing part of one rear flippers and the other is paralyzed. Rescue workers fear it would not be able to live in the wild so they found a new home for the animal.


Previous Coverage: Loggerhead Sea Turtle Jetting From Charleston to San Diego


The turtle arrived in San Diego Thursday.


The Birch Aquarium says this is the first time they’ve welcomed a rehabilitated sea turtle to their marine life collection. Jenn Moffatt, Director of Husbandry at Birch Aquarium, says the turtle “has some shell deformities that have prevented her from being able to survive and rear flipper paralysis, so because of that we decided hey we would love to help this sea turtle.”


Scientists believe the turtle will grow to be 300 pounds. The Birch Aquarium plans to place it in the public exhibit in January.


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