SC Aquarium employees road trip to Florida for latest turtle release

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) – Marine biologists with the South Carolina Aquarium traveled to Florida this week to complete the aquarium’s latest turtle release.

The team hit the road with Croissant, Eggs, Hydrangea, Marmalade, and Snowdrop, five juvenile green sea turtles who were rehabilitated at the aquarium’s Sea Turtle Care Center after being admitted for cold stunning.

Cold stunning happens when water temperatures drop suddenly, lowering a sea turtle’s internal body temperature to critical levels. This causes lethargy and buoyancy issues in the turtle, which, according to aquarium officials, leads to stranding ashore and needing rehab care.

“Each chance we get to send sea turtles back out to the ocean is a proud moment for us,” says Sea Turtle Care Center Manager Melissa Ranly. “It’s a testament to the dedication of every entity that impacted these sea turtles along their respective road trips to release: the rescuers, SCDNR-permitted transporters, staff, volunteers, and Aquarium guests. Without each of them — and their shared commitment to sea turtle conservation — this work wouldn’t be possible!”

The five turtles were successfully released into the warm waters of Little Talbot Island State Park in Jacksonville on Wednesday morning.