Turtle Bay’s Chinook Salmon Release

Turtle Bay Exploration Park is excited to announce the upcoming release of Chinook Salmon into the Sacramento River on Friday, February 21, 2025, at approximately 4:30 PM. This initiative is part of a collaborative Conservation Head Start program developed in partnership with Coleman Fish Hatchery, aimed at revitalizing the Chinook Salmon population in our waterways.

Chinook Salmon are an endangered species, facing significant threats to their survival, including
habitat loss, water pollution, and challenges posed by climate change. To combat these issues
and bolster their population, the Conservation Head Start program provides a controlled, secure
environment for the salmon to grow and thrive before being released into the wild. When the
salmon first arrived at Turtle Bay, they were each about half an inch long. After spending a year
in this safe and nurturing habitat, they have grown to a healthy size of 2-3 inches.

The decision to conduct the release in the evening is strategic; it minimizes the risk of predation
by daytime hunters. This timing allows the young salmon a better chance to acclimate and find
shelter in their new surroundings as they make their transition into the Sacramento River. The
release event not only contributes to the conservation of this vital species but also serves as a
reminder of the importance of protecting our natural ecosystems.

“We are very privileged to have the opportunity to raise these threatened animals for a 5th year
in a row. Salmon are such an important part of the river ecosystem. We want to do all we can to
make a difference,” says Sharon Clay, Curator of Animal Programs at Turtle Bay Exploration
Park.Members of the press and public are welcome to observe the release of the salmon taking place
at the Sundial Bridge on the south banks of the Sacramento River near Turtle Bay Museum at
approximately 4:30pm.