SC Aquarium celebrates milestone 400th sea turtle release
CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) – It’s a milestone achievement at the South Carolina Aquarium – the 400th rehabilitated sea turtle has been released from the turtle care center.
Jim, a juvenile green sea turtle, was released along with nine other sea turtles on Monday as the creatures made their journey back to the ocean from Little Talbot Island State Park in Jacksonville, Florida.
Officials said this group of sea turtles included the three most common species seen by the SC Aquarium: green, Kemp’s ridley, and loggerhead – all of which are threatened or endangered.
Jim’s release came with extra meaning for those who cared for him at the aquarium. He was named in honor of a beloved SC Aquarium colleague who passed away last year.
A bittersweet feeling settled in with this release, as we remembered the colleague who this turtle was named after,” said Melissa Ranly, Sea Turtle Care Center manager. “Jim had been at the Aquarium since our 30th sea turtle release 16 years ago, sustaining the critical life support systems for our sea turtle patients and always lending a helping hand. We’re grateful that we could honor his dedication to our mission through this release.”
Joining him were other greens Asiago, Waterloo, Byrrara, and Java (which is named in support of Charleston Coffee Roasters) – each rescued along the South Carolina coast dealing with various ailments from boat strikes to predator bites.
Cheddar and Manchego, to Kemp’s ridleys, who were initially caught on hook and line, were among the bunch released Monday. Meanwhile, three juvenile loggerheads – Monterey Jack, Romano and Fontina – were brought to Charleston from the New England Aquarium after exposure to cold water temperatures in Cape Cod, Massachusetts.
The aquarium began treating sea turtles many years ago after discovering a sick and injured loggerhead named Stinky. Since then, the South Carolina Aquarium Sea Turtle Care Center has grown well beyond just serving as a hospital – but a powerful conduit for conservation awareness and action.
“Releasing each and every rehabilitated sea turtle is cause for celebration,” Ranly said. “But a milestone like this reminds us to reflect on those who helped us get to this point: the state agencies, supporters, sea turtle enthusiasts and more who believe in us and our mission to save sea turtles.”
You can learn more about the SC Aquarium’s efforts to rehabilitate sea turtles by visiting their website.
