Hundreds of people gathered at Folly Beach County Park yesterday as loggerhead sea turtle Honey and Kemp's ridleys Hope and Buffalo returned to the ocean after successful rehabilitation at the South Carolina Aquarium. They were the 497th, 498th, and 499th sea turtles released by the Aquarium, bringing them even closer to the long-awaited 500th release.
All three turtles were hooked by fishermen, though each of them had their own unique challenges and a specialized treatment plan during their rehabilitation. Honey overcame not only the fishhook injury, but a carapace wound and an infestation of leeches. Hope arrived severely underweight and needed time to regain strength, while Buffalo
As Honey, Hope and Buffalo made their way into the surf, cheers rose from community members and Aquarium staff alike who had gathered to celebrate their release. The celebration was, of course, for the three turtles who made their way back home, but there was also plenty of excitement for what’s just on the horizon: the 500th sea turtle release.
Who will be the 500th release? Will it be a sea turtle currently rehabilitating at the Aquarium, like Wasabi the green or Ponzu the loggerhead? Or, perhaps it will be a sea turtle that has yet to be admitted into care. In rehabilitation, every patient heals on their own timeline, so number 500 will remain a mystery until they’re deemed ready to return home. And when that day comes, it will be another reason to celebrate.
One thing is certain. “Just like Honey, Hope and Buffalo — and the hundreds of sea turtles before them — the 500th release will undoubtedly reflect the compassion of our incredible community that comes together time and again to give these turtles a second chance,” said Melissa Ranly, Sea Turtle Care Center™ manager at the South Carolina Aquarium.
Sea turtle rehabilitation wasn’t always part of the original plan for the Aquarium. It grew from something much more organic: a sea turtle in need, a willingness to answer the call and a community that believed in the work. That response has grown into the South Carolina Aquarium Sea Turtle Care Center — a program where animal care, conservation and education come together, creating an impact that extends far beyond each patient that completes the journey home.
An inside look at this sea turtle rehabilitation in action is included with admission. The Aquarium relies on revenue from paying guests to fund this critical work, meaning every visit directly contributes to saving the sick and injured sea turtles in their care.