200th Sea Turtle Being Released on Thursday

August 25, 2016

12:32 AM

Credit: SCAquarium.org

One of the Holy City’s most unique events will reach quite the milestone tomorrow after near the Isle of Palms County Park. The South Carolina Aquarium’s Sea Turtle Rescue Program will release its 200th rehabilitated turtle at 4:30 pm.

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

This time around, two different sea turtles will be returned to the ocean. Here’s a look at each (click on their names to learn more):

Marsh (right)
- 93-pound juvenile loggerhead
- Found in April of this year in the surf near Garden City, SC. Beachgoers called authorities
- Was diagnosed with Debilitated Turtle Syndrome – emaciation from not eating for months, extreme lethargy, and a heavy load of barnacles and leeches on his/her shell.
Moon
- A 149-pound juvenile loggerhead
- Found stuck in pluff mud at Huntington Beach State Park
- Suffering from a life-threatening trio of physical injuries including large wounds on the flippers believed to be the result of a shark attack

To learn more about the South Carolina Aquarium’s Sea Turtle Hospital and Rescue Program, visit their official website. If interested, you can donate to the hospital via the Aquarium's donation page.