Loggerhead "Pluff" Being Released on October 10th!

"Pluff," a 65-pound loggerhead sea turtle treated by the South Carolina Aquarium Sea Turtle Rescue Program, will be released this Thursday, October 10, 2013 at the Folly Beach County Park.  The public is invited to come out to watch as Pluff returned the ocean at 4:30 p.m.   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).  Attendees are encouraged to arrive early, carpool and are reminded that parking fees apply at the county park.

Pluff was found stranded in the marsh on Hilton Head Island in June of this year.  Upon admittance to the Sea Turtle Hospital, Pluff  Blood tests were performed and the turtle was found to have extremely low blood protein (hypoprotenemia) and a low level of red blood cells (anemia).  Supportive care including antibiotics, vitamin injections and fluid therapy were immediately started.  After just four months of care, Pluff has fully recovered and is ready to be returned to the Atlantic Ocean once again. 

 

Huge thanks to all who helped with Pluff's rescue and rehabilitation. Hope you can join us!

South Carolina Aquarium's Sea Turtle Rescue Program Releases 100th Sea Turtle!

The South Carolina Aquarium's Sea Turtle Rescue Program hit a major milestone on December 27, 2012 by releasing the 100th rehabilitated sea turtle back into the ocean! Gumby, a juvenile loggerhead that stranded on Kiawah Island June 26, 2011, was suffering from severe metabolic bone disease among other problems and the prognosis was poor. During Gumby's 18 month stay, s/he made amazing strides in the Aquarium's Sea Turtle Hospital. You can see his amazing recovery on past blogs here, here and here. Gumby was medically cleared in late December and released in the Gulf Stream off the coast of North Carolina by the crew the US Coast Guard Cutter Block Island!

Comparison Photographs

Comparsion shot of Gumby's changes after 6 months in the hospital.

Profile comparsion of Gumby after a year of medical treatment and expert care.

Size comparsion from admittance to a year in the hospital.

The Release



Gumby boarding the US Coast Guard Cutter Block Island.



Heading to the deck.

Crew prepping the basket to be lowered.

Off he goes...good luck, Gumby!

 

A Trip Through Time

Photographs taken throughout Gumby's stay in the South Carolina Aquarium's Sea Turtle Hospital.

We are so excited to have reached this milestone and it would not have been possible without a great deal of support.  A HUGE thanks to everyone involved over the years with the rescue, rehabilitation and release of 100 sea turtles from the South Carolina Aquarium! 

Whitney Daniel

Sea Turtle Biologist