After saving Gangneung's lone dolphin, Aqua Planet sets sea turtles free off Jeju

Aqua Planet, a prominent aquarium operator in South Korea, announced plans to release rehabilitated green sea turtles off Jeju Island later this month, marking another step in its ongoing efforts to aid marine wildlife. This follows the successful rescue of Anmoki, a young Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin that had been living alone near Gangneung, Gangwon Province, since the summer of 2025. The dolphin, named after Anmok Beach, where it first gained public attention, was eventually captured and brought to a specialized treatment facility for recovery. Anmoki had become increasingly bold in its interactions with humans, often approaching boats and even rubbing against their propellers. This unusual behavior led to a severe laceration on its back, measuring approximately 20 centimeters wide, alongside other injuries. Experts from the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries determined that the dolphin faced a significant risk of mortality and initiated an emergency rescue operation. On July 15, Anmoki was safely captured at Gangneung Port and transported to a dedicated treatment tank at the Jangsaengpo Whale Culture Zone in Ulsan. Aqua Planet played a crucial role in the rescue mission, deploying 10 specialists, including veterinarians and aquarists, from its Marine Life Research Institute and several of its locations across the country. These professionals were instrumental in the underwater capture, medical assessments, and the subsequent land transfer of the dolphin. Currently, Anmoki is in stable condition, undergoing comprehensive diagnostic procedures and receiving intensive care. Authorities intend to reintroduce the dolphin into the wild once it has fully recovered, following consultations with both national and international experts. Aqua Planet’s facilities in Jeju, Yeosu, Ilsan, and Gwanggyo are recognized by the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries as key ex-situ conservation institutions and marine animal rescue and treatment centers. Over the years, these centers have successfully rescued and treated more than 60 marine animals, including Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins and finless porpoises. In particular, Aqua Planet Yeosu has maintained an artificial breeding program for sea turtles since 2013, resulting in the hatching of 209 turtles and the release of 168 at Jungmun Saekdal Beach in Seogwipo, Jeju Island. The upcoming release of green sea turtles is scheduled for August 27, when Aqua Planet will return the animals to the wild at the Jungmun site. A manager at Aqua Planet explained that the organization has long been committed to marine conservation, noting that green sea turtles have faced challenges in reproducing naturally. To address this, the company constructed an artificial nesting site in Yeosu to support spawning activities and annually releases rehabilitated turtles at Saekdal Beach once they are deemed fit for release. Green sea turtles are among the most frequently observed sea turtle species in Korean waters, appearing along the coasts of Jeju and the South and East Seas. They typically migrate to coastal areas for feeding and return to their birthplace to lay eggs. However, the population has declined due to factors such as bycatch, marine pollution, and habitat degradation. In response, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries classified the species as protected in 2012 and collaborates with specialized institutions to rescue and treat stranded or bycaught turtles while conducting research on artificial breeding. Between 2014 and the previous year, 35 green sea turtles underwent rescue and treatment programs. Kim Si-hoon, CEO of Aqua Planet, emphasized the organization’s dedication to protecting marine life and conserving ecosystems. He stated that Aqua Planet continues to fulfill its responsibility as a leading institution in marine animal rescue and treatment in South Korea.