Six Rehabilitated Sea Turtles Released at Folly Beach County Park

Photo is from a previous release

By: South Carolina Aquarium

What started off as a calm, picturesque morning on Folly Beach County Park, turned into a spirited celebration as the South Carolina Aquarium Sea Turtle Care Center released six rehabilitated sea turtles into the Atlantic Ocean. Beachgoers of all ages joined together to support the journey home for these endangered animals. As the crowd gathered, Aquarium educators walked the beach sharing the stories of the sea turtles’ rehabilitation stay at the Sea Turtle Care Center.

The six patients included three loggerhead sea turtles: Sunstone, Citrine and Moonstone; and three Kemp’s ridley sea turtles: Elsa, Olaf and Gale. Each turtle seemed eager to meet the waves, as they were gently carried to the water, the sight of the ocean and smell of salt in the air igniting a distinct spark in their eyes.

This marks the first public sea turtle release since 2019. The sound of applause filled the air as the sea turtles made the journey home, completing the last chapter of their rehabilitation story.

As of this announcement, the Sea Turtle Care Center has released 355 patients since opening.

About the Sea Turtles

Sunstone: Sunstone, a loggerhead, arrived at the Care Center with a serious flipper injury back in July of 2021. Likely a result of a run-in with a shark, Sunstone’s flipper was debrided and they were given antibiotics to fight infection.

Citrine: In July of last year, this loggerhead was admitted after being rescued by Charleston Outdoor Adventures. Lethargic and extremely underweight, Citrine was treated for a classic case of debilitated turtle syndrome (DTS).

Moonstone: Moonstone, a loggerhead, was admitted to the Sea Turtle Care Center exactly a year ago today and was treated for two stingray barb injuries: one in their flipper and one in their side.

Elsa: Along with seven other Kemp’s ridley sea turtles, Elsa was transported to us from the New England Aquarium with the help of Turtles Fly Too back in November. Elsa was treated for cold stunning, the sea turtle equivalent of hypothermia.

Gale: Just like Elsa, Gale was transported to us from New England after water temperatures plummeted. This sudden temperature drop can cause cold stunning in sea turtles.

Olaf: Of the eight cold-stunned Kemp’s ridley sea turtles from New England, Olaf was struggling the most. They were treated for the severest symptoms of cold stunning, including low heart rate.

How You Can Help

If you find a sick or injured sea turtle, contact the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) sea turtle hotline at (800) 922-5431. You may also help care for sea turtles currently in rehabilitation at the South Carolina Aquarium Sea Turtle Care Center by visiting scaquarium.org and making a donation.

To read about patients, both current and released, and to track their recovery, visit the Aquarium blog, Currents.

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