A young sea turtle battered by chilly, rough waters off the coast of Washington State is recovering well at the Oregon Coast Aquarium in Newport.

"Solstice" was found on the Long Beach Peninsula December 21, the day of the winter solstice. The female Olive Ridley turtle was dehydrated and her body temperature was 15 degrees below the typical 75 degrees.

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Ocean Park residents found the 42 pound turtle while they were out beach combing f high tides and strong winds pounded Oregon and Washington for a week. They thought the turtle could be a young leatherback or green turtle. Both species are on the endangered list.

According to the Oregon Coast Aquarium, the turtle is important because of her gender and age.

"Olive Ridley turtles are classified as endangered and her recovery is important to the future success of her species," said the aquarium in a statement.

Currently, the aquarium's team is administering fluids and slowly raising the turtle's temperature. They are cautiously hopeful she will make a full recovery.

Initial blood tests revealed no signs of infection and Solstice is stronger than many other turtles both the Seaside and Newport aquariums have seen in the past, said Seaside Aquarium officials.

Olive Ridley turtles are normally found in tropical waters from California to Peru. They are smaller than leatherbacks and green turtles, weigh up to 100 pounds and reach an average size of 2 feet to 2.5 feet long. Their average life span in the wild is 50 years.

Storms and warm currents sometimes carry sea turtles into the colder northern latitudes. As the warm water dissipates, the turtles become hypothermic.

Tagssea turtle, Olive Ridley turtles, Solstice, Oregon Coast Aquarium, animal recovery, Hypothermia