The Aquarium's Sea Turtle Hospital Blog Has Moved!

The South Carolina Aquarium has a beautiful new website including a new blog! The new blog will have plenty of sea turtle updates and medical cases but will also have information on upcoming events and programs at the Aquarium. Be sure to check it out! When are on the homepage, click on the blog link to see all of the most recent posts. To refine your search to sea turtles, just click on Sea Turtle Rescue Program.

Thanks for being such dedicated readers of the South Carolina Aquarium's Sea Turtle Hospital blog!

An Update on "Huntington"



I was surprised to learn about the health problem of my favorite patient when I first started my internship with the South Carolina Aquarium Sea Turtle Rescue Program. She is a large loggerhead named Huntington and is recovering from an intestinal impaction caused by a dense mass of scallop shells, a natural prey item for loggerheads.



For those of you that remember when Huntington was admitted in May, she was positively buoyant (floating), thin, and lethargic. Loggerheads are known for their large heads and powerful jaws which they use to crush the hard shells of their prey. So how and why does one get harmed by shells? The answer remains a mystery.

Up until early August, Huntington couldn't dive below the surface of the water due to a large pocket of air trapped inside the intestines from the impaction. S/he floated with one side higher than the other due to the location of the impaction and the excess gas, which meant we had to keep her in only ~18 inches of water. If we filled her tank all the way up, she would have floated completely sideways!

Huntington passed the impaction thanks to various treatments including tube-feeding mineral and cod liver oils to lubricate the intestinal tract, as well as massage therapy, where we applied large vibrating massagers externally around the area of the impaction to stimulate movement. Because Huntington couldn't be fed during treatment for the impaction, regular fluids with dextrose were administered to keep her blood glucose at normal levels. These treatments occurred every 2-3 days for almost 6 weeks, quite a feat for a turtle that weighs 150 pounds!

Once the impaction passed, we were able to start feeding Huntington small amounts of food. This hungry loggerhead is now eating 4.5 pounds of food each day and is an amazing sight to see! She swims without any buoyancy problems, is very close to having a normal body weight and her blood work has greatly improved. She possesses a beautiful carapace beaming with its natural colors. This was an amazing recovery for me to watch and assist with, especially considering that this turtle likely would likely have died without our help. Watching these sick and injured sea turtles recover from illness or injury is the most rewarding part of my internship and I am looking forward to the day when Huntington is released back into the wild.



Romina Ramos
2013 Sea Turtle Rescue Program Intern

PHOTO BLOG: September 14, 2013 Sea Turtle Release

Thanks to all who came out to watch Parker, Dennis, Crosby and Skully be returned to the ocean after several months of rehabilitation at the South Carolina Aquarium! For those of you that were unable to make it, here are a few shots of these beautiful creatures going home.


Parker:  The five-pound juvenile Kemp's ridley sea turtle was accidentally caught by a recreational fisherman at the Myrtle Beach State Park Pier in June 2013. 

Parker avoiding capture from Kelly!

Sea Turtle Hospital volunteer Jo Durham shows Parker to onlookers as she heads down the beach!

 

Dennis: This juvenile Kemp's ridley was one of 18 cold stunned sea turtles admitted by the South Carolina Aquarium in the winter of 2012/13. Dennis was last of the cold-stuns to be released due a joint infection he developed in the right front flipper.

Sea Turtle Hospital volunteer Jo Durham and laser therapist Jennifer Oliverio pose with Parker and Dennis right before release, with a little help from adoptive parent sign holders, Kendal and Ainsley Chunn!



Jennifer Oliverio show Dennis off to onlooker while making her way down the beach.



A beautiful photograph of Dennis before s/he heads in!

Crosby: A 9-pound juvenile green sea turtle was found floating near Crosby's Seafood on the Folly River in April of this year, the same night as the Aquarium's Annual Conservation Gala.

Crosby is pulled from his/her tank right before heading to the beach!



Sea Turtle Hospital volunteer Jacquie Miller shows off Crosby to the crowd with some help from sign holder, Nate Millen!



Crosby getting a little excited!

Taking a little rest before heading in.

 

Skully: The 70-pound juvenile loggerhead stranded on a sandbar in Skull Inlet near Fripp Island in June.

Kelly and Lee load the Skully into the transport bin.

Janie and Mallory from the Fripp Island Turtle Team with Skully.

Janie, Mallory and Kelly carried Skully to the waters edge. The Aquarium's partnership with the turtle nest protection teams are so important! The Oliverio kids held signs so the onlookers knew who was being released!



A great shot of the large crowd watching Skully head home!



Heading home!


These releases bring the South Carolina Aquarium to 129 sea turtles released since the start of the program in 2000. A big thanks to everyone who makes the rescue, rehabilitation and release of these sea turtles possible, including the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, the Charleston County Parks and Recreation Commission, donors, volunteers, interns, and the media that helps to spread the good word about our work!



Whitney Daniel

Sea Turtle Biologist

Three Sea Turtles Being Released Saturday, September 14th!

Three sea turtles from the South Carolina Aquarium Sea Turtle Rescue Program are ready to return to the sea! One green sea turtle, Crosby, one Kemp's ridley sea turtle, Parker, and one loggerhead sea turtle, Skully, will be released at the Isle of Palms County Park at 10 a.m., this Saturday, September 14, 2013.

 

The release is being held in partnership with the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources(SCDNR) and the Charleston County Parks and Recreation Commission (CCPRC).  The public is invited to join the festivities and are encouraged to carpool, arrive early, and are reminded that parking fees apply at the county park.

 

More on the sea turtles being released:

 

Skully:

Skully, a 70-pound juvenile loggerhead was found by canoers stranded on a sandbar in Skull Inlet near Fripp Island in June.  When Skully was admitted to the Aquarium's Sea Turtle Hospital, biologists discovered old wounds to his/her plastron which were inhabited by marine leeches; the turtle was also thin, lethargic, anemic, and dehydrated.  The leeches were flushed out of the wound, and supportive care was administered.  Skully is now back to optimal health and is ready for a return to the open ocean.

 

Skully

Parker:

Parker, a five-pound juvenile Kemp's ridley sea turtle, was accidentally caught by a recreational fisherman at the Myrtle Beach Pier in June of this year.  Upon admittance to the Aquarium's Sea Turtle Hospital, Parker was emaciated, dehydrated, and had poor blood work.  Due to the location of the hook, the Aquarium's staff veterinarian removed it without surgery.  Treatment for Parker included injectable antibiotics and vitamins, fluids, and plenty of food to help him/her gain weight.  Three months after admission, Parker is healthy, strong, and swimming around the tank ready to head back home.

Parker

Crosby:

Crosby, a 9-pound juvenile green sea turtle was found floating near Crosby's Seafood on the Folly River in April of this year, the same night as the Aquarium's annual Conservation Gala.  Captain Gresh Megget of Absolute Reel Screamer Charters called SCDNR officials after noticing the little green sea turtle swimming erratically and covered in marine growth.  During Crosby's stay at the Sea Turtle Hospital, s/he received fluids and antibiotics, and minor carapace wounds were flushed and treated.  In May, Crosby's buoyancy improved and s/he began eating a diet of fish and fresh vegetables.  Now strong and healthy, Crosby is ready to return to the sea turtle population off the East Coast.

Crosby

We would like to send a huge thank you to everyone involved in the successful rehabilitation of these animals including rescuers, transporters, partner organizations, donors, volunteers, and staff - we could not do it without you!

Hope to see you all there!

July 31, 2013 Sea Turtle Release Photo Blog!



Sutton:  Juvenile Kemp's ridley sea turtle; one of 18 cold stunned sea turtles admitted by the South Carolina Aquarium in the winter of 2012/13. To learn more about Sutton's admission and rehab, go to his/her hospital page.

 

Sutton is pulled from his/her tank with loggerhead, Pluff watching in the background!

2013 Sea Turtle Hospital Summer Intern, Megan Kelley, gives Sutton a lift to the water with a big smile on her face. Martha holds the sign to let everyone know the turtle's name. 

A little turtle in front of a big crowd...but there was no stage fright! Sutton wasted no time scurrying into deeper water!

Headed home!

Raker: Juvenile green sea turtle; the first live stranding of the 2013 SC stranding season. To learn more about Sutton's admission and rehab, go to his/her hospital page.

Raker just before being lifted from his/her tank to head to the beach.

2013 Sea Turtle Hospital Summer Intern, Carissa Brown, shows Raker to onlookers as she makes her way down the beach. Our young sign holder, Anne, helped everyone see who was being released. 

A beautiful close-up of Raker.

Slow and steady, Raker made his way into the ocean.

Megan and Carissa have each worked 40-50 hours per week in the Sea Turtle Hospital this summer and are captured relishing in the excitement of helping to rehabilitate and release these endangered species.

 

Splinter: Juvenile loggerhead sea turtle caught on board a South Carolina Department of Natural Resources research vessel; found with a large foreign object embedded in a rear flipper. To learn more about Splinter's admission and rehab, go to his/her hospital page.

Sign holders, Susanna and Lily watch as Splinter is pulled out of the transport container.

Mike Arendt (right), Principal Investigator of SCDNR In-Water Research Program and Lexi Mechem (left), past Sea Turtle Hospital intern, release Splinter, a beautiful loggerhead that was rescued by the In-Water Research Group this year.

Splinter was placed on the beach for a few moments and quickly turned around. Our young sign holder, Campbell enjoyed her time with this funny turtle!

Splinter on the beach with his/her releasers, a few representatives from the media, and the backdrop of a huge crowd of spectators.

A regal photo of this loggerhead.

And away he/she goes!

Thank you to all who make the rescue, rehabilitation and release of these sea turtles possible including the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, the Charleston County Parks and Recreation Commission, donors, volunteers, interns, and even media that helps to spread the good word about our work. As you can see, the sea turtles releases draw huge crowds and as much as we try to create an organized, wonderful event for all to enjoy, large, excited crowds can sometimes get a little rowdy. Just please always remember to be kind to the people around you and let children up front so they can see, and hopefully everyone will have the experience of a lifetime!
All the best,
Kelly Thorvalson

South Carolina Aquarium Sea Turtles Join the Sea Turtle Trek for Florida Release!

Sea Turtle Trek

The 6 SUVs pulling into the gas station one behind the other, looked like the Secret Service. But instead of men in suits getting out of the vehicles, a bunch of road weary yet jolly sea turtle biologists and volunteers piled out. The crew of 12 from the New England Aquarium and National Aquarium started the trip to Florida in Quincy, Massachusetts on Saturday. They made several stops on their way to pick up sea turtles from various rehabilitation facilities that were ready for release. The stop at 5am on I-95 to pick up 5 sea turtles from the South Carolina Aquarium made the grand total 52!

Meet the Turtles

First, meet the 5 South Carolina Aquarium sea turtles that were released:

McNally was one of 10 cold stunned sea turtles flown to Charleston on December 5, 2012 from the New England Aquarium. Blood was pulled (left photo) on McNally and all new patients for baseline health assessment.

Kennedy and the other little guys were safely contained in banana boxes during the December flight donated by Charleston's own Gary Davis of Davis Air, Inc.

Ollie suffered severe propeller strikes to the carapace and skull but healed amazingly well. This little green sea turtle had an extra spunky personality and was a favorite.

Kit is a loggerhead that cold stunned off the NC coast in January. What a difference a few months of care in our Sea Turtle Hospital made in Kit's physical appearance!

Preparation and loading at the South Carolina Aquarium
Long time Sea Turtle Hospital volunteer, Barbara Bergwerf and I met at 2:30 am at the Aquarium for preparation and loading of turtles. The plan was to meet the Sea Turtle Trek caravan on I-95 between 4-5 am which was about an hour away.

Barb and I transferred Kit from his holding tank to the transport container.

The 3-year old loggerhead was pulled from the Sea Turtle Exhibit on the 2nd floor of the Aquarium. Two extremely cute 1-year old loggerheads are now in the exhibit!

The two Kemp's ridleys, McNally and Kennedy (pictured), were sleeping on the bottom on their tanks when I pulled them out. Needless to say, they didn't put up much of a fight!

With the help of Aquarium night security Jamison Scott, the 5 sea turtles were loaded into the Husbandry Van and the first leg of their journey began.

5am Sunday morning at a truck stop on I-95
Barb and I drove approximately an hour to I-95 to meet the Sea Turtle Trek. Our turtles were added to mix and away they drove for the final leg of the trip to Jacksonville, Florida.

 

When we met the caravan and opened the van doors, we found Ollie trying to sneak out of his container. Luckily we had packed the containers well so this was as far as the little escapee could get!

Each vehicle was full of turtle boxes large and small; it was like putting a puzzle together to fit them all!

The Sea Turtle Trek crew had been on the road (trading off drivers) for 13 hours but still had big smiles on their faces! I joined them for a quick photo before they started on the last leg of the trip. 

The Release

The Sea Turtle Trek arrived in Jacksonville, FL about 11am on Sunday morning and released all 52 sea turtles into the ocean. The release crew was happy to feel the warm Florida air and firm ground under their feet.

Transport boxes with turtles were offloaded from the SUVs to the beach.

The 5 South Carolina Aquarium sea turtles were released first!

The South Carolina Aquarium sea turtles left to right: Ollie (green); McNally and Kennedy (Kemp's ridleys close to their releasers and namesakes, Kerry McNally and Adam Kennedy); Kit (loggerhead), Shannon (exhibit loggerhead).

The exhibit loggerhead and Kennedy race for the waters!

The last batch of sea turtles to be released were almost 30 from the New England Aquarium. The entire release crew lined up with turtles. What a moment!!!

Two amazing women - Jennifer Dittmar, Rescue Coordinator for the National Aquarium in Baltimore, and Connie Merigo, Rescue Manager for New England Aquarium. With the help of their staff and volunteers, these two did an amazing job coordinating the Sea Turtle Trek to help 52 threatened and endangered sea turtles get back to the ocean. Great job, ladies!

Most of these sea turtles were rescued this winter as part of the largest cold-stunning event on record in the Northeast. Many facilities, including the South Carolina Aquarium, pulled together to house the sea turtles because the New England Aquarium's Animal Rescue Center was overflowing with turtles. And many of the facilities were able to get sea turtles on this release....a beautiful ending to an exhausting but exhilarating winter. Releasing these animals back into the ocean has a way of wiping away the crazy amount of hours we all worked to get to this point - THIS is why we do what we do.

With love of turtles,
Kelly Thorvalson
Sea Turtle Rescue Program Manager

Organizations involved in the Sea Turtle Trek: New England Aquarium, National Aquarium in Baltimore, University of New England at Biddeford, National Marine Life Center, Riverhead Foundation, Virginia Aquarium and the South Carolina Aquarium.