In partnership with the SC Department of Natural Resources and Charleston County Parks and Recreation Commission, two sub-adult loggerhead sea turtles, Jammer and Hamlin Creek, will be released at the Isle of Palms County Park on Friday, May18 at 3pm. Both sea turtles were rescued from the Isle of Palms last spring/summer in critical condition and have been recuperating in the Aquarium's Sea Turtle Hospital.
With an average cost per day of $34, medical expenses for these two turtles alone have reached over $26,000. It is this reason that Jammer's namesake, the Windjammer, and the IOP Neighborhood Association raised funds last fall for the Sea Turtle Rescue Program. We are hoping to celebrate the release of Jammer and Hamlin Creek at the Windjammer following Friday's release. Stay tuned for details!
Jammer was admitted on April 25, 2011, truly on deaths door and his recovery has be
en simply amazing! To learn more about Jammer's recovery, read the case history and enjoy past blogs.
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| comparison photo of Jammer |
Hamlin Creek was rescued from Hamlin Creek behind the IOP pm June 12, 2011 suffering from an advanced skin infection that took the lives of many sea turtles last year. We are thrilled that Hamlin survived this terrible condition and is now ready to be released. To learn more about Hamlin's recovery, read the
case history and enjoy past blogs.
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| comparison photo of Hamlin Creek |
Huge thanks to all the folks involved in the rescue and rehabilitation of these sea turtles! If you to attend the release, remember that beach traffic may be heavy so be sure to carpool and
ARRIVE EARLY. County Park parking fees will apply. Hope to see you there!
Kelly Thorvalson
Sea Turtle Rescue Program Manager
The loggerhead named Jammer, washed up near the fishing pier on front beach Isle of Palms, SC, just blocks from the popular Windjammer beach club that s/he is named after. This iconic venue has been a local favorite for decades, operating on the island since 1972...even before sea turtles were put on the endangered species list. SCDNR responded to the live stranding and Island Turtle Team members Mary Pringle and Bev Ballow, pulled the turtle from the surf to the safety of the DNR transport vehicle.
Upon arrival at the Aquarium’s Sea Turtle Hospital, weights and measurements were taken and diagnostic tests were performed. The heart rate of a healthy sea turtle is ~30 beats per minute (bpm) but this turtle's heart rate was only 7 bpm, a condition called bradycardia. The turtle is also severely emaciated and dehydrated. As expected, the turtle had very low blood glucose and blood protein levels but the hematocrit (percentage of red blood cells in the blood) was actually close to normal. Sea turtles in this debilitated state are usually severely anemic with a very low hematocrit level, so although puzzled by the result, hospital staff was thrilled to get it.
Treatments include oxygen, fluid therapy, vitamins, and antibiotic injections. After 24 hours of treatment, the turtles heart rate had risen to 24 bpm and respirations were stronger. The prognosis is guarded on this animal but we are doing all we possibly can to save it!