River Museum Welcomes Rare Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle
DUBUQUE, Iowa – The National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium is proud to announce the arrival of a Kemp’s ridley sea turtle, the most endangered and rarest sea turtle species in the world. The turtle joins the museum from the National Aquarium in Baltimore, Maryland, following a year-long rehabilitation effort and a federal determination that they cannot be safely returned to the wild.
Because the turtle is still a juvenile, their sex has not yet been determined. As juveniles, male and female sea turtles are nearly identical in appearance, and the species does not develop distinguishing characteristics until later in life. As the turtle grows, staff expect to learn more.
The turtle was one of 30 that the National Aquarium admitted during a larger cold-stun stranding event in Cape Cod, Massachusetts in late 2024. Cold-stunning occurs when sea turtles become trapped in rapidly cooling waters. As reptiles, turtles cannot regulate their body temperature like birds and mammals, causing them to become lethargic, disoriented, and unable to swim. As prolonged exposure to cold temperatures can lead to secondary health complications or death, cold-stunning rescue efforts play a vital role in sea turtle conservation.
While the other turtles have since been released, this turtle developed complications, including chronic buoyancy dysfunction and loss of use of their left rear flipper. Extensive diagnostics determined these conditions to be permanent, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) subsequently designated the turtle as non-releasable under the Endangered Species Act, authorizing their permanent placement at a qualified zoological institution.
The National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium’s Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) accreditation provides the opportunity to partner with institutions such as the National Aquarium on animal acquisitions. AZA-accredited institutions meet rigorous standards for animal care and welfare, conservation, education, and safety.
The Mississippi River watershed drains approximately 40% of the continental United States, carrying nutrients, pollutants, and runoff that ultimately flow into the Gulf of Mexico, a critical nesting and feeding habitat for Kemp’s ridley sea turtles. The museum sees this turtle’s arrival as a powerful opportunity to help inland communities understand how their everyday choices affect marine ecosystems thousands of miles away.
“Here at the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium, we draw connections between the River and the rest of the world,” said Andy Allison, vice president of living collections. “From a low of fewer than 300 nesting Kemp's ridley females in the 1980s, there are now an estimated 8,000 in the wild, though they are still critically endangered. The health of the Mississippi River directly impacts all ocean life, and this turtle will help us show people in the Midwest why we should care and what we can all do to save Kemp’s ridley sea turtles and other ocean life from extinction.”
The turtle will soon be on view in the Eckstein Family Rivers to the Sea Gallery within the Diamond Jo National River Center. Museum staff will continue to monitor their health and provide the specialized care their condition requires. The museum looks forward to introducing this remarkable animal to guests and the opportunity for them to serve as an ambassador for the conservation of this critically endangered species.