Love was in the air this week as Valentine’s Day approached, but it was also in the waves as the United States Coast Guard (USCG) taxied the South Carolina Aquarium more than two hours offshore, carrying five adorable one-way passengers aboard: Kemp’s ridley sea turtles ready for release.
Included in this passenger count was Chia, the smallest sea turtle patient ever admitted in Aquarium history, who had swiftly captured the hearts of guests and staff alike upon arrival. Initially found entangled and floating atop a pile of marine debris just a few miles offshore, Chia spent months undergoing rehabilitation in the South Carolina Aquarium Sea Turtle Care Center™. Four additional juvenile Kemp’s ridley sea turtles — Beignet, Griddle, Home Fry and Loaf — were also ready for release.
At this stage in their life cycle, juvenile Kemp’s ridley sea turtles rely greatly on the shelter, food and security provided by sargassum, which is large brown seaweed that forms floating islands in the open ocean. When the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) offered a pelagic release where sargassum is more prevalent, the question arose: How could these turtles be transported that far offshore? SCDNR already had a collaborator in mind: the USCG.
Their willingness to help — coupled with vessels well-equipped to carry staff and sea turtles safely out to sea — made the USCG the perfect match to provide these sea turtles the best chance at survival.
This sea turtle release holds extra significance for the South Carolina Aquarium and sea turtle conservationists everywhere.
“Chia, Beignet, Griddle, Home Fry and Loaf were part of our record-breaking year of 49 local sea turtle admits, the most we’ve welcomed in a single year,” says Sea Turtle Care Center Manager Melissa Ranly. “As Kemp’s ridleys, they represent the most endangered sea turtle species in the world. We pour our heart and soul into saving sea turtles, so days like today only reaffirm that our efforts can have longstanding impact for the recovery of their species for generations to come.”
Including these five, the South Carolina Aquarium has released 446 sea turtles to date.
Wondering how you can help save sea turtles and protect what you love? It can be as simple as admission into the South Carolina Aquarium. The Aquarium is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization that relies on ticket revenue from guests to continue caring for sick and injured sea turtles, among other critical mission-related work. Every guest who walks through the Aquarium's doors can witness the lifesaving work happening in the Sea Turtle Care Center, connect with biologists and educators through exhibits and daily programs and learn stories of patients currently undergoing rehabilitation.
For more information, visit scaquarium.org
