ONE BELOVED RESIDENT of Oceanworld Dingle is set to be released back into the wild after 22 years in the aquarium.

Loggerhead sea turtle Molly will be released back into the ocean after washing up on the Maharees in Castlegregory in 2004.

When she arrived to the aquarium, Molly had severely injured flippers, which staff believed meant release wasn’t an option for her.

Now after advancements in rehabilitation techniques she is set to make her way back out to sea.

Loggerhead turtles are about 90cm in shell length when they’re fully grown and weigh roughly 135kg. They can live over 80 years in the wild. 

In a social media post, the aquarium confirmed the good news, highlighting the huge advancements in rehab science for sea turtles and understanding of release suitability over the last decade. 

After passing her rehabilitation assessment the ‘Queen of the Shark Tank’ will begin her journey next week, travelling to specialist sea turtle rehab centre Zoomarine in Portugal that Oceanworld has collaborated with before.

Staff in Oceanworld have been preparing Molly for life in the wild for several months Oceanworld Oceanworld

Molly will then be released into the warm waters of the Atlantic off the Portuguese coastline. 

She has been off display in Dingle for the last few months as staff have been preparing her for life back in the ocean. 

Oceanworld said Molly will be “greatly missed by all of the team” but they are “excited for her new adventure”.

Dingle Oceanworld often have loggerhead sea turtles brought to them for rehabilitation.

Over the years numerous turtles have been successfully rehabilitated and released into the wild through their programme of thorough medical examinations, blood analysis, and gradual temperature adjustments to aid their recovery. 

They currently have four juveniles in their care and have successfully rehabilitated many loggerheads including Spike, Peig, Omey, Dylan, Blink, Molly, Sally, Saor, Tallulah, Úna, Mara, Cróga, Toby, Maya.