Six sea turtles were released by the South Carolina Aquarium Thursday after undergoing rehabilitation at the aquarium's Sea Turtle Hospital.
There was one green sea turtle and five Kemp's ridley turtles in the bunch, each one returning to the Atlantic on the Isle of Palms. The first public turtle release for the aquarium this season, it brings the total number of endangered and threatened sea turtles treated and released at the SC Aquarium since it was opened 15 years ago to 163. In March, a rare endangered leatherback sea turtle weighing 475 pounds was stranded along the coast of South Carolina. It has recuperated and was released on the Isle of Palms as well.
Bailey was the largest of its kind to be ever brought to the SC Aquarium's Sea Turtle Rescue Program. The green sea turtle was admitted after being discovered in distress and floating near Bailey Island, emaciated and suffering from injuries sustained in a boat strike and due to fibropappilomatosis, a condition resulting into tumors caused by a herpes virus.
Since then, Bailey has recovered from a damaged left eye and having a portion of its upper jaw sheared off, as well as the disease after receiving antibiotics, vitamins, pain medication, fluids and surgery for tumor removal. The green sea turtle stayed nearly a year at the aquarium but was released after no signs of tumor regrowth were discovered.
Cavin, Fitz, Pilatus, Gibbons and Tater, on the other hand, were included in a massive stranding event in November 2014 along the coast of New England where over a thousand sea turtles were discovered close to death and suffering from hypothermia. A sever cold front had hit at the time and the turtles were not able to cope with the waters rapidly cooling as they were cold-blooded creatures. The Kemp's ridley sea turtles were flown to Charleston for treatment and after six months at the SC Aquarium are all well-enough to be released.
South Carolina sees around 128 sea turtle strandings each year. The public is encouraged to participate in efforts by getting in touch with wildlife officials when they spot injured or sick sea turtles and other animals or to donate to initiatives like the Sea Turtle Rescue Program at the South Carolina Aquarium. Every year, the aquarium's Sea Turtle Hospital admits between 20 and 30 sea turtles, many of which are in critical condition. With the release of Bailey, Cavin, Fitz, Pilatus, Gibbons and Tater, 11 sea turtles remain at the hospital.
Photo: Aaron Gustafson | Flickr
