Injured loggerhead sea turtle Lucky returned to Jeju ocean after seven years

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A loggerhead sea turtle named Lucky was released into the Jeju ocean near Seongsan Ilchulbong after undergoing seven surgeries to treat severe injuries from discarded fishing nets. Following seven years of treatment and successful hunting tests with porcelain shrimp and blue crabs, the 150kg turtle finally returned to the wild.

On the August 8 broadcast of SBS "TV Animal Farm," the process of a loggerhead sea turtle named Lucky returning to the sea after seven years of treatment was revealed. Lucky had suffered severe injuries after becoming entangled in discarded fishing nets. The episode recorded a viewership rating of 4.8%, reaching a peak of 5.6% (based on Nielsen Korea metropolitan area households). The story of Lucky, who finally regained freedom after seven surgeries and two postponements of release, drew significant attention.

Found seven years ago on the coast of Jeju entangled in discarded fishing nets, Lucky's condition at the time was so severe that survival was difficult to guarantee. To save the turtle, which had an exposed esophagus in its neck area and damage to its shell, veterinarian Hong Won-hui and the medical team maintained long-term treatment. Although preparations for release were made as wounds healed, inflammation recurred, and just one week before the scheduled release, a mass was discovered behind the neck. Due to repeated ruptures of blood vessels around the mass, Lucky had to undergo seven surgeries.

After seven years, good news arrived for Lucky: the Marine Life Protection Committee decided that release was possible on the condition that final treatments were completed. However, one last hurdle remained. It had to be confirmed whether Lucky, who had lived in a tank for a long time receiving food prepared by humans, could hunt and survive on its own in the wild. The behavior of approaching humans at the sound of footsteps to ask for food also required improvement.

To reduce contact with humans, aquarists installed partitions and moved Lucky to a larger tank. Multiple personnel were deployed to move Lucky, who weighs over 150kg. Once in the larger tank, Lucky swam at high speeds, but showed little reaction when live porcelain shrimp were introduced. Instead, Lucky even showed behavior of hitting its head against the unfamiliar tank walls. Veterinarian Hong Won-hui determined that Lucky needed time to adapt to the new environment because the boundaries of the tank were unclear.

Two days later, Lucky finally began to move. After discovering the porcelain shrimp in front of it, Lucky successfully hunted them in succession. Subsequently, a faster-moving live blue crab was introduced. Although Lucky missed the blue crab at first, it pursued it again, cornered it in a corner, and bit it, even chewing through the hard shell. Despite living in a tank for seven years, the hunting instinct remained. Veterinarian Hong Won-hui felt relieved seeing Lucky's immediate response to the food.

The final test before release was conducted in a large tank containing various marine creatures, such as sharks and rays. Lucky swam leisurely through the deep tank while exploring the new environment. Lucky showed curious behavior, such as encountering a ray and attempting to bite a shark's fin. Hong Won-hui closely observed Lucky's behavior as it avoided dangerous sharks while approaching other sharks.

Before sending Lucky to the sea, Hong Won-hui personally entered the tank wearing a wetsuit. It was the first time swimming together with Lucky, whom she had always watched and treated from outside the tank. Spending the final moments while checking Lucky's physical condition closely, Hong expressed her feelings ahead of the release, saying, "For Lucky's happiness, wouldn't it be better to live freely roaming the wide ocean?"

A day before the release, aquarists prepared a final feast for Lucky. It was a lavish seafood meal consisting of Alaska pollock, sand lance, and live porcelain shrimp. This was prepared so that Lucky could eat sufficiently in advance, as it might take time to adapt to foraging in the open sea.

Finally, on the day of the release, the rescue team placed a wet towel over Lucky to prevent its body from drying out and loaded it into a transport vehicle. After a drive of about 10 minutes, they arrived at the Jeju coast overlooking Seongsan Ilchulbong. Once placed on the sandy beach, Lucky moved toward the sea without hesitation, paused for a moment, and then slowly entered the incoming waves.

Watching Lucky, whom she had cared for for seven years, head toward the sea, Hong Won-hui's eyes grew red, but she tried to stay composed, saying, "I'm not crying. Why cry when [he] is going to a good place?" as she watched Lucky's retreating figure until the end.

Meanwhile, SBS "TV Animal Farm" broadcasts every Sunday at 9:30 AM.

Read the original (Korean)