Five Loggerhead Sea Turtles Being Released on Tuesday

May 10, 2016

11:53 AM

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Credit: South Carolina Aquarium

One of the Holy City’s most unique events will be held on Tuesday, May 10th at 4:30 pm. That’s when the South Carolina Aquarium’s Sea Turtle Rescue Program will hold its latest sea turtle release at the Isle of Palms County Park. It’s the first release of 2016.

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

Boyles (pictured to the right)
- Loggerhead
- Found floating in Folly River in July 2014
- Was dehydrated and had an infection and injuries from a boat strike
- Was in such bad shape he was once declared non-releasable
  - Read more about his recovery here.
Chaz
- Loggerhead
- Was found cold-stunned in Brewster, Massachusetts in January
- Treated for hypothermia at the New England Aquarium before being transferred to the SC Aquarium
Discovery
- Loggerhead
- Found in the Charleston Harborin July 2015
- Was thin, lethargic, and had old wounds
Quincy
- Loggerhead
- Found cold-stunned in Sandy Neck, Massachusetts (part of Cape Cod) in January
- Treated at New England Aquarium before being transferred to the SC Aquarium
Reece
- Loggerhead found in North Island, SC in July 2015
- She was found stuck in the sand at the high tide line. She was emaciated and in distress

After these five are back into the ocean, the Sea Turtle Rescue Program will have rehabilitated and released a total of 187 threatened and endangered sea turtles back into the wild.

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.