2 publishers · first seen Wed, 28 Oct 2026 18:47 UTC · updated Thu, 29 Oct 2026 09:49 UTC
Molly the turtle, known as the 'queen of the shark tank' at Dingle Oceanworld Aquarium, was released into the Atlantic Ocean 12 nautical miles off the Portuguese coast after 22 years in captivity. The loggerhead turtle, weighing 257 pounds, was found injured on a Co Kerry beach in 2004 with severe damage to her flippers, likely from a boat propeller or shark bite, and weighing only 20kg at the time.
Molly was flown to Portugal in April and prepared for release by marine biologists at Zoomarine’s Porto d’Abrigo over five months. She is now believed to be in her 30s and capable of surviving in the wild, with a satellite tag expected to transmit her location soon. DNA analysis shows she originated from the Gulf of Mexico, and experts believe she is instinctively heading toward her original breeding ground.
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