Small Kemp's ridley freed from fisherman's hook

The most recent sea turtle admitted into our Sea Turtle Hospital is one of the smallest sea turtles in the history of the program! Weighing only 2.09 kg (4.6 pounds), the Kemp's ridley was caught on hook and line by a shore fisherman on Edisto Island near Murray Street. When the fisherman and others realized they could not remove the hook that was deeply embedded in the back of the mouth, they turned the turtle over to the SC Department of Natural Resources to be transported to our Sea Turtle Hospital so the hook could be safely removed.

Lisa Scarano from SCDNR holds "Murray" as Dr. Boylan inspects the mouth.

X-rays were performed to determine exactly where the hook was located.

Fishing hooks show up well on x-rays and help guide surgery for hook removal. Notice all the shell hash in Murray's intestinal tract! Thanks to SCUTE, the Gobiens and all the folks that helped us acquire this priceless machine!

With the turtle under anesthesia, hook removal surgery was performed.

Success! After the drugs wore off, Murray was placed in a filtered tank in the Sea Turtle Hospital, where s/he will spend several week recuperating.



Murray is very active and eating well. Thanks to all involved in this turtle's rescue, to all involved in the recovery, and to all who support this program. There are currently 10 sea turtle patients at various stages of rehabilitation. Visit our Sea Turtle Hospital web page for updates on the patients and to learn about Sea Turtle Hospital tour days and times so you can visit the patients in person.

All the best,
Kelly Thorvalson

Reflections from our Departing Italian Intern

Hi everybody! My name is Sara and I am one of three South Carolina Aquarium's Sea Turtle Rescue Program interns this summer. I'm from Italy and I've decided to come here because I love sea turtles and I am so lucky because my application was accepted. I'm leaving America at the end of July so I would like to share some thoughts with you.

Sara holds our wild diamondback terrapin, Stumpy, while her amputated front limb is flushed.

Seing these animals everyday makes me very happy, and to have the opportunity to work with them makes me even happier! Now there are 9 turtles in the hospital, and it's very hard to say which one I prefer because, after I have spent almost 2 months with them, I can say that every one has a peculiar characteristic, something that makes him special.

Gumby makes me laugh as he loves to bite everything!

As interns, we have many different responsibilities around the hospital. We must ensure that the hospital is as clean and tidy as possible, we feed the turtles, do treatments, etc. Something new often happens that changes all the schedules and teaches me something, and I promise you that I'm never bored!

Our veterinarian taught Sara how to draw blood on Charlie, our largest loggerhead turtle.

One of the nicest things is the coming in of a new turtle. It may happen anytime, and when I get the call I start thinking ”How big will she be? What species? I hope she's well.” Unfortunately since I've been here I’ve seen some turtles that were not very well. Some have died after they came in and when it happens it's very sad, and I feel helpless. But it's a great feeling when I get to help a new turtle, and to watch them recover.

Sara (in blue shirt) helped flush George's head wound when he was admitted last Friday.

Also, I saw a lot of happy cases! There are new turtles like Pier, Charlie, Bulls Bay, and Hook, and they are all getting better! It's very interesting to observe the healing process - the first few days are crucial, the turtles may not feel like eating, but now Bulls eats a lot and Charlie has delicious taste - he eats only crabs!

Charlie is a picky eater! He eats only blue crabs for breakfast.

In conclusion, although these animals aren't like pets, they are giving me a lot of satisfaction! The only thing that I'm not yet able to do is teaching them to speaking Italian...but I'm working on it!

Sara Gori

STRP Intern

Loggerhead Admitted with Multiple Skull Fractures

On July 20, 2012, the South Carolina Aquarium Sea Turtle Rescue Program received its fourth admittance of the month. This 53-pound loggerhead was found floating in Jones Creek in Georgetown County suffering from multiple boat propeller strikes. Although "George" has a dislocated bone in the front left flipper and lacerations to the neck and marginal scutes, the propeller did most damage to the skull. One strike cut off most of the nares (nostrils) and top portion of the beak. The propeller also struck the left side of the skull, fracturing both the maxilla (upper jaw) and mandible (lower jaw). Since loggerheads eat hard shelled prey in the wild, these jaw fractures are of great concern.

Profile view of the damage to George's face/skull.

View of the strike that caused multiple fractures to the upper and lower jaw.

Staff biologist Christi Hughes draws blood to be analyzed; those results are vital to proper treatment.

X-ray showing fractures to both the upper and lower jaws.

X-ray showing dislocated radile and laceration to the marginal scutes.

Despite the extensive injuries George has suffered, he continues to fight. This turtle is on two antibiotics, recieves fluids and vitamins regularly, and topical antibiotics are applied to external wounds as needed. The prognosis is still guarded but we are hopeful. Huge thanks to the folks from CMERA for their aid in the rescue and to Kelly Sloan from SCDNR for transporting the turtle. Look for updates on George's status and possible surgical procedures in the near future here on our hospital page.

Whitney Daniel

Sea Turtle Biologist

Critically Ill Loggerhead, Atalaya, Hangs on to Life

The third sea turtle admitted into the Aquarium's Sea Turtle Hospital in July is Atalaya, a sub-adult loggerhead that stranded at Huntington Beach State Park. This poor turtle is extremely debilitated, suffering from severe emaciation, dehydration, and critically low blood levels including no blood glucose and a 5% hematocrit (% red blood cells...normal is 30-40%). We are tremendously grateful for the generous donation from Loggerhead Apparel of the funds to buy a new i-STAT blood machine. Getting a thorough blood analysis when the turtles first arrive is critical to successful treatment!

Triage took place in the  Aquarium's Animal Medical Facility and included fluid therapy (IV 50%dextrose and hetastarch, SQ 5% dextrose and sodium chloride), antibiotic injections (ceftazadime and danofloxacin), and vitamin injections (B-Complex, C and K). The turtle was then dry docked in the Sea Turtle Hospital with an overnight drip of Normosol fluids. Dry docking an animal in this condition is important because they could drown in water that covers their nares (nostrils).

Jeff McClary, head of SCUTE, helped to get the turtle from Huntington to Georgetown and SCDNR transported the rest of the way to find Sea Turtle Rescue staff awaiting their arrival.

The emaciated loggerhead hardly moved during the admission process. The heavy barnacle load is an indication that the turtle has been lethargic in the ocean. 

Marine leeches were removed from the corners of the mouth. Notice how sunken the eyes are...a sign of dehydration and lack of muscles and fat behind the eyes.

Dr. Boylan gives fluids IV in the dorsal sinus.

After 2.5 hours of treatment, the turtle was moved into the ICU tank in the Sea Turtle Hospital.

After 2 nights of dry dock, Atalaya is now swimming in shallow water. She isn't eating yet and we plan to tube feed a gruel with fish and vitamins to get some nutrition on board.   

Huge thanks to all involved in Atalaya's rescue! To David LaManna from NY who found the turtle and made the calls to get her rescued; Chris Bowers, beach ranger from Huntington for responding to the stranding; Jeff McClary, fearless leader of SCUTE for transporting Atalaya from Huntington to the Sewee Outpost in Awendaw and who is always willing to drive sick and injured sea turtles to get help; Bill Brabson for volunteering to ride with Jeff for assistance; and Amy Gutierrez from SCDNR for transporting the remainder of the trip. With patients in critical condition, it takes a great deal of support to get them here as soon as possible for treatment. Also, a huge thanks to our dedicated staff and volunteers that come in on a moment's notice on evenings, weekends and holidays to help save these turtles. Atalaya's prognosis is still guarded but we are thrilled that she is still with us today!

Kelly Thorvalson

Sea Turtle Rescue Program Manager

Gumby's One Year Anniversary

If you have made a visit to the South Carolina Aquarium's Sea Turtle Hospital recently, you have met our spunky loggerhead Gumby! His feisty attitude and curious nature always make him a visitor favorite. If you are new to Gumby’s story, you can read about his admission and his December update here. It is truly remarkable to see how far Gumby has come just in one year!

Gumby was found stranded on the beach of Kiawah Island on June 26, 2011.

Over the past 12 months with the help of a healthy diet, vitamins and exposure to UV light, staff and volunteers have watched drastic changes in Gumby's size and demeanor. Upon admittance Gumby weighed only 6.5 pounds, had severe metabolic bone disease, and was extremely lethargic. He is now 6 times that original weight,  weighing in at 39 pounds and has also almost doubled in length. We also have seen a significant change with his demeanor, watching transform into the feisty sea turtle he is today.

Plastron comparison of Gumby over the year.

Profile comparison showing not only Gumby's changes physically but also the vibrant change in coloration.

A great shot to fully grasp how Gumby has grown in just one year!

Regardless of Gumby's troubled past, his natural instincts are still present. Gumby shows off his hunting abilities in the video below enjoy!

Come see Gumby's remarkable changes first hand on one of tours!

Whitney Daniel

Sea Turtle Biologist

Second sea turtle admitted in two days

On June 18^th, a 56-pound juvenile loggerhead sea turtle was caught near Bulls Bay by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) research vessel, the Lady Lisa. The Lady Lisa is one of two vessels used for the SCDNR In-water research program that assesses the health and population status of sea turtles along the South Carolina and Georgia coasts via trawling. The turtle suffered a minor wound to the soft tissues surrounding the eye from a stingray barb. Initial blood values analyzed on the boat were less than what we consider normal for a healthy sea turtle (packed cell volume=25%, total solids=1). Due to the puncture wound, poor blood values, and moderately heavy barnacle coverage, this loggerhead was transferred to our sea turtle hospital with help from the crew of the Lady Lisa and the Principle Investigator of the in-water program, Mike Arendt.

Mike Arendt and crew delivering "Bulls" at Ft. Johnson to SCA staff to be transported to the sea turtle hospital.

Dr. Shane Boylan drawing blood to check current blood values.

Close look of the puncture wound to the soft tissue surrounding Bulls' eye.

Dr. Shane Boylan checking Bulls' eye to rule out any damage potentially sustained from the barb.

After arriving at the hospital, “Bulls Bay” was examined by our veterinarian, Dr. Shane Boylan. Bulls’ prescribed treatment included antibiotics, fluids, and a fluorescein eye stain. Bulls was fortunate enough not to sustain any damage to the eye from the stingray barb. We will continue to monitor the wound and Bulls blood values, especially the white blood cell count which can become elevated from the venom released from the barb. Prognosis if very good and we are hoping for a quick recovery! You can monitor Bulls’ progress here or come see first-hand on one of our tours!

Whitney Daniel

Sea Turtle Biologist

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Loggerhead caught on Folly Pier admitted with shark bite wound

Yesterday morning, a recreational fisherman at the Folly Beach fishing pier caught something unexpected: a 60-pound juvenile loggerhead sea turtle. The fisherman netted the turtle in order to remove the boom from its mouth and, upon closer inspection, discovered the turtle had a large bite-shaped chunk missing from the back of its shell.

This bite-shaped wound was observed on the right side of Pier's shell. The right rear flipper is visible in the photo.

Although the fishing hook was safely removed, the conspicuous shell wound was actively bleeding. Thanks to efforts by Charleston County Parks & Recreation and Folly Beach Public Safety, the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources sea turtle stranding hotline was contacted at 1-800-922-5431. Shannon Teders, Biologist for the South Carolina Aquarium and member of the Folly nesting and stranding network, responded to the stranding and transported the turtle to the Aquarium's Sea Turtle Hospital.

Inspection of the shell wound by our veterinarian, Dr. Shane Boylan, revealed that the injury had occurred at least one month prior to admission. Wild sea turtles can be surprisingly resilient and, despite the considerable carapace damage, this juvenile loggerhead we’ve named “Pier” is in relatively good health. Pier’s heart rate was strong at 36 beats per minute, his blood values were normal (PCV=36%, TS=3.2), and radiographs revealed no hooks or other radiodense foreign bodies present internally.

Dr. Shane Boylan took digital x-rays of Pier to rule out the presence of internal hooks, as well as to verify Pier's lungs were clear and his skeletal system was free of problems.

Pier's beak and visible mouth parts were inspected for damage. Loggerheads have a strong beak with immense bite force designed to eat hard-shelled prey.

SCA intern, Meredith Bleuer, and staff Biologist, Whitney Daniel, obtain Pier's carapace measurements. 

Pier’s prognosis is good, and we are hoping for a quick recovery. You may follow Pier's progress on our hospital page here. Come visit this feisty loggerhead in our hospital during one of our regularly scheduled tours and wish him well as he recovers!

Pier is lucky the damage wasn't more extensive. He swims well with all four flippers and is extremely active!

Christi Hughes
Sea Turtle Biologist