South Carolina Aquarium Announces Final Public Sea Turtle Release of the Season

The South Carolina Aquarium, in partnership with the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, will hold its final public sea turtle release of the season on Wednesday, July 18th at Folly Beach County Park. Three sea turtles rehabilitated by the South Carolina Aquarium Sea Turtle Care Center will be released into the Atlantic Ocean at 10 am.

As usual, the public is invited to attend the event. Although viewing the release is free, attendees may have to pay for parking.

Here’s a look at each of the turtles being released:

• Gary
  • Sub-adult loggerhead sea turtle
  • Arrived at the Sea Turtle Care Center more than a year ago after being rescued from pluff mud by kayakers
  • He was suffering from a severe case of debilitated turtle syndrome
• Buckbeak (right)
  • Juvenile Kemp’s ridley
  • Hooked by a surf fisherman near the lighthouse on Sullivan’s Island
  • Transported by SCDNR to the Sea Turtle Care Center for hook removal
  • After two months of rehabilitation, they are ready to return ocean
• Farrah
  • Juvenile Kemp’s ridley
  • Hooked by a fisherman on Isle of Palms

You can learn more about the turtles the South Carolina Aquarium’s Sea Turtle Care Center, and the Zucker Family Sea Turtle Recovery here.

In partnership with the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR), the South Carolina Aquarium Sea Turtle Care Center works to rescue, rehabilitate and release sea turtles that strand along the South Carolina coast. Located in the Aquarium, the Care Center admits 20-30 sea turtles each year. Many of these animals are in critical conditions, and some are too sick to save.

The South Carolina Aquarium Sea Turtle Care Center has rehabilitated and released 256 sea turtles to date; Wednesday’s release will bring the total to 259.

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