Nine Sea Turtles Admitted in the Last Month

Briar - 5/20/13

Briar was found stranded on Myrtle Beach in an extremely debilitated state. This lethargic, emaciated loggerhead was riddled with health problems and was in critical condition after being admitted. In addition to antibiotics, fluids, vitamins to address blood deficiencies, rescue staff have slowly increased her food intake and she has started putting on weight. A month after her admission, she is even eating live blue crabs!

Although Briar's right front flipper has an old injury and is slightly deformed, it does not stop her from having full use of the flipper for swimming and maneuvering around her holding pool. 

Splinter - 5/28/13

Splinter is a 65-lb loggerhead that was caught on board the SCDNR Research Vessel, the Lady Lisa, with a large "splinter" in the right rear flipper. Upon arrival at the Aquarium's Sea Turtle Hospital, we were shocked to see that the huge foreign body entered at the knee and was deeply embedded in the tissue. The tissue surrounding the splinter was red and swollen and the injury could have ultimately caused big problems for the turtle.

 

What at first looked like a large piece of wood turned out to be the tip of a swordfish bill. We will never know how the swordfish and loggerhead interacted causing this impalement but are happy that we were able to remove the "splinter" before it caused more damage.

Huntington - 5/30/13
This large loggerhead was rescued by boaters just off Hunting Beach, SC. The turtle was floating at the surface of the ocean and tilting to one side. When the boat approached, the turtle was unable to dive. Luckily the boaters recognized that the turtle was in distress and got her into the boat for a trip to meet SCDNR volunteers and staff to be transported to the South Carolina Aquarium.

Air trapped in the body of a sea turtle is normally the cause of positive buoyancy, and most often the air is trapped in the intestinal tract by an impaction. Radiographs are very useful is diagnosing intestinal impactions.

It took no time at all to see the impaction on x-ray, as it is very radiodense (does not allow electromagnetic radiation to pass). When radiodense objects are found in the intestines of a sea turtle, they are usually shells of the prey the turtles have been eating. 

Treatments to move impactions through the intestines include tube feeding mineral/fish oil, fluids to help with hydration and hypoglycemia (since the turtle is unable to eat), enemas, and vibrating massage around the area of impaction. The photo below shows how the turtle floats in her holding pool.

King - 5/30/13
A juvenile Kemp's ridley sea turtle was caught by a recreational fisherman on the Myrtle Beach State Park fishing pier. SCDNR nest protection volunteers Mary Pringle (Isle of Palms) and Linda Mataya (North Myrtle - right) relayed the turtle to the South Carolina Aquarium.

Radiographs were taken to see the location of the hook and luckily it was in the upper portion of the esophagus. This particular hook removal surgery was very quick and did not require the turtle to be fully anesthetized, nor did the turtle have to go on antibiotics which is very rare for admissions. Hopefully this will be a quick rehab!

Parker - 6/10/13
The next admission was also a juvenile Kemp's ridley caught on hook and line from Myrtle Beach State Park. This turtle was very thin and had poor blood work, an indication that it was unhealthy and possibly scavenging for food at the pier. Hook removal surgery was a little more difficult as the hook was much deeper. Surgery was successful and the turtle is currently eating and doing well.

Skully - 6/18/13
This juvenile loggerhead was found by a Virginia sea turtle stranding volunteer who was visiting the Beaufort area. They were kayaking just off of Fripp Island and found the turtle stranded on a sandbar in Skull Inlet. Recognizing that this is not at all normal for a young sea turtle, the were able to get help from the Fripp Island turtlers to get the turtle to land.

In addition to being lethargic and thin, there is a wound on the plastron that could be causing the health issues. 

Miss Royal - 6/20/13
Once again, the SCDNR in-water research program caught a sea turtle in their trawl survey with injuries that if not treated, could cause big problems in time. Miss Royal (named after Port Royal Sound in Beaufort where the turtle was brought in for rescue) is an adult female loggerhead weighing approximately 215 pounds with two boat strike injuries in the carapace as well as a portion of the right rear flipper.

The silver on the wound is an aluminum water resistant spray-on bandage called Aluspray that adheres to the wound and provides a protective barrier under water.

NUD - 6/20/13

This loggerhead from the sound end of DeBordieu Beach is the most critical case in the hospital currently. The turtle is severely debilitated with a hematocrit level of 5.5%, total protein of 1.8 and no detectable blood glucose and is suffering from NUD, necrotic ulcerative disease of the skin. 

The margins of the carapace are soft and depressed (above) due to the calcium from the bone being absorbed. There are many necrotic ulcerations on the animal's soft tissue but one of the easiest to see on on photo (below) is the necrosis exposing the nuchal bone on the skull.

Upon admission the turtle received IV and subcutaneous fluids, vitamins, 2 different antibiotics, disinfecting skin treatment and is being kept in a shallow pool of water. 

Pluff - 6/20/13

This young loggerhead was found stuck in the marsh in Hilton Head Island. Affectionately named Pluff after the mud that is found in lowcountry marshes, the loggerhead was the third sea turtle stranding to be admitted to the Sea Turtle Hospital on Thursday. Pluff is suffering from severe hypoproteinemia (low blood protein) as well as anemia (low level of red blood cells). We are very used to seeing these levels low in sick sea turtles but the protein level is the lowest we have ever seen at 0.5. Antibiotics, vitamins and fluid therapy are included in the supportive care being given to Pluff.

 

 

When time permits, all of the patients will be added to the main Sea Turtle Hospital webpage and periodic updates will be provided. Thanks to everyone that is involved in the rescue of these sick and injured sea turtles, the volunteers that transport them, and the Sea Turtle Rescue volunteers, interns and staff that are always willing to come in after hours to help- there are far too many people involved to name here but we all know who you are!

Kelly Thorvalson
Sea Turtle Rescue Program Manager

7 Sea Turtles Being Released Tuesday, June 18!

In partnership with the SC Department of Natural Resources and the Charleston County Parks and Recreation Commission, the South Carolina Aquarium will be releasing 7 rehabilitated Kemp's ridley sea turtles back into the ocean on Tuesday, June 18 at 10:30 am! The public is invited to join us for this wonderful occasion at Beachwalker County Park on Kiawah Island. Remember to arrive early and carpool because traffic may be heavy and parking is limited. County Park parking fees apply.

Huge thanks to Gary Davis and Michael Taylor, the private pilots that donated flights to transport these animals to our Sea Turtle Hopsital for treatment. And as always, we are forever grateful for everyone that visits the Aquarium and Hospital and to donors and volunteers whose commitment is critical in these animals' recovery.  For more information on these sea turtles and all of the patients in our hospital, visit the Aquarium's Sea Turtle Hospital webpage.

Hope to see you Tuesday!
Kelly Thorvalson
Sea Turtle Rescue Program Manager

 

Sea Turtle Release: PHOTO BLOG

The Aquarium's Sea Turtle Rescue Program staff have been so busy with several new patients that we haven't been able to post photos from the May 23rd release on the Isle of Palms! It was an amazing release and we are thankful for everyone that helped and that came out to see it. We are currently working on a mini-blog series about the new patients that will start towards the end of the week. We are also in the process of analyzing several sea turtles for release so we hope to be posting release information soon, as well. In the meantime, enjoy the May 23rd release photos!

Birdie

This juvenile Kemp's ridley sea turtle was rescued near Bird Key off of Folly Beach, SC. S/he was badly entangled in monofilament fishing line and would not have fared well if a local fisherman had not come to the rescue! Read more about Birdie's admission here. Birdie was released by Sea Turtle Rescue Program volunteer/photographer, Barbara Bergwerf. 

Barney and McCann

These two juvenile green sea turtles were cold-stunned off of the New England coast in late November and were of the 18 cold-stuns admitted into the Aquarium's Sea Turtle Hospital this past winter. If these beautiful little sea turtles grow to full size, they could be over 300 pounds! Volunteers Bev Ballow and Sherry Fox released these little guys.

Manteo

Dr. Boyland and I released Mantgeo, one of three loggerheads to be admitted from the North Carolina cold-stun season this winter. Although it took some time for Manteo to begin eating and behaving normally after the illness, s/he is one feisty turtle now! 

Taylor

This juvenile loggerhead was flown in by private pilot Michael Taylor in January of 2013 and was one of the later cold stunned sea turtles from New England. Released by volunteer Jackie Huffman and spring intern Joni Vaughn, Taylor wasted no time getting to the water!

Huge thanks to everyone who helped with the rescue, transport, rehabilitation and release of these 5 sea turtles. This release brings the South Carolina Aquarium to 112 sea turtles releases to date.  The hospital webpage has a full listing of all patients in our Sea Turtle Hospital as well as those released. Periodic updates are posted to these pages so you can follow the rehabilitation of them all!

All the best,

Kelly Thorvalson

Sea Turtle Rescue Program Manager

New Stranding Moves from Intensive Care Ward

The severely debilitated loggerhead admitted to the South Carolina Aquarium's Sea Turtle Hospital on May 20th was barely alive when it first arrived. The young adult sea turtle affectionately named "Briar" after the stranding location in Myrtle Beach, received intensive care for 5 days. This consistent, supportive care in a quiet out-of-the-way tank helped this turtle make it through the roughest part of rehab.



Shane and I prepared to transfer the turtle from the SCDNR truck.

Briar was so lethargic that she could not hold her head up during the transfer. Jenna Cormany of SCDNR helped to stabilize her head.

Dr. Boylan and crew moved Briar by elevator to the Animal Medical Facility on the Aquarium's first floor.

Emaciation and a heavy barnacle load are typical external signs of a severely debilitated sea turtle. The internal medical problems are much more numerous. 

In addition to being extremely sick, Briar has what looks like an old break in the front right flipper causing it to "hook".

Weights and measurements were taken and neck was "sterilized" with betadine to pull blood.

Once in the Animal Medical Facility, Briar received a basic health assessment which would guide Dr. Boylan's treatment plan. This assessment included obtaining a heart rate, evaluating blood work, a physical examination and getting weights and measurements. The heart rate was extremely low at 6 beats per minute and blood work was also extremely poor with a glucose of 1, hematocrit level of 7%, and total solids 2.9. These numbers validate what we thought when we first saw the turtle - the animal was barely alive.




The heart rate is obtained by dopplar, pressing the probe to the soft tissue between the head and neck.

Fluid therapy is an important part of supportive care given to the patients in our Sea Turtle Hospital. Briar received Hetastartch IV as well as 5% Dextrose and Normosol subcutaneously (photos above).



The video below was taken just after Briar was put in a tank of shallow water. 

Huge thanks to turtle rescuer, Brett and North Myrtle Beach turtle lady extraordinaire, Linda Mataya who drove the turtle to Georgetown, and to SCDNR for coordinating and finishing the transport. Also to our extraordinary staff, volunteers and interns that make up the Sea Turtle Rescue Team at the Aquarium. This turtle now has a good prognosis because of your efforts!

Kelly Thorvalson
Sea Turtle Rescue Program Manager

First Beach Release of 2013 on May 23rd at Isle of Palms County Park!

In partnership with the SC Department of Natural Resources and Charleston County Parks and Recreation Commission, the South Carolina Aquarium will be releasing 5 rehabilitated sea turtles at the Isle of Palms County Park on May 23rd at 4 pm. The public is invited to watch as a Kemp’s ridley, 2 loggerheads and 2 green sea turtles rejoin sea turtle populations in the Atlantic Ocean.  County Park parking fees apply and carpooling is strongly encouraged as traffic will be heavy into the park.

Birdie
Birdie is a Kemp's ridley from South Carolina (Bird Key) that was found by a fisherman entangled in monofilament fishing line. We are grateful to so many boaters and fishermen that find these sick and injured animals in the water and bring them to safety.

 

Birdie had monofilament entangled around the neck and left front and rear flippers.

The worst of the entanglements was the left knee. The fishing line had wrapped multiple times around the joint, cutting deeply into the skin.

Had the fisherman not found the turtle when he did, Birdie may have lost the rear flipper and ultimately his life. Birdie has now fully recovered and his limbs are in great condition!

Manteo
Manteo, a loggerhead, was one of almost 80 sea turtles that cold-stunned off the North Carolina coast this past winter. In an effort to help NC facilities that were overrun with patients, Manteo was one of three loggerheads to be admitted to the South Carolina Aquarium and is the last of the three to be released.

Profile shot of the lethargic, cold-stunned Manteo.

A healthy Manteo getting weighed in our Sea Turtle Hospital.

Taylor
Taylor is a loggerhead that cold-stunned off the New England coast this past winter. When the New England Aquarium was swamped with cold-stunned sea turtles this winter, Taylor and several Kemp's ridleys flew first class to Charleston in a Cheyenne Turbo Prop donated by owner and pilot Michael Taylor. When Taylor was first admitted, he had a heart rate of only 8 beats per minute and was very ill. It took him a month to begin eating.

Taylor right off the plane.

Taylor had many lesions and cuts on the soft tissue and plastron. We are thrilled that he has made a full recovery and is ready for release!

Barney and McCann
These two juvenile green sea turtles cold-stunned off the New England coast in December 2012 and were flown to the South Carolina Aquarium by pilot Gary Davis of Davis Air, Inc. and copilot Neal McCann. These once cold, lethargic sea turtles have transformed into strong, wild animals. We love seeing how feisty the turtles get when they are feeling better!



Barney just after he arrived at the South Carolina Aquarium.



Barney (left) and tankmate, Bristol (right), in the Aquairum's Sea Turtle Hospital. The greens have such beautiful starburst pattens on their scutes! 

McCann, named after co-pilot Neal McCann, has made a quick recovery.

Several months after arrival, a feisty McCann is taken out of his tank for weights and measurements.

 Tips for having a great sea turtle release:

• Come out as early as possible (as much as 2 hours early) so you get a good parking place and a good spot on the ropes. The beach is a wonderful place to be!
• Plan to pay for County Park parking fees.
• The releases are usually very well attended and traffic gets very heavy. Carpool to lessen the traffic coming onto the Isle of Palms and into the County Park. 
• Look for people wearing yellow Sea Turtle Rescue shirts and ask lots of questions about the program and turtles being released.
• Bring water in a reusable water bottle.
• Bring a camera and take lots of photos!

We hope to see you there!

Kelly Thorvalson

Sea Turtle Rescue Program Manager

Girl Scout Troop #699 Holds Festival to Benefit the Sea Turtle Rescue Program!

Come out to Cinebarre in Mt. Pleasant this Saturday, May 11th for a Sea Turtle Festival held by Girl Scout Troop #699 starting at 5PM! Enjoy food, crafts, face painting and an outdoor movie starting at dusk with all proceeds benefiting the South Carolina Aquarium Sea Turtle Rescue Program.

Hope to see you there!
Whitney Daniel