Critically endangered species of sea turtle to be released by Sea Turtle Rescue Program
Charleston, S.C. — August 10, 2007 — The South Carolina Aquarium will release a critically endangered juvenile Kemp’s ridley sea turtle into the Atlantic from Beachwalker County Park on Kiawah Island, SC, Monday, August 13, 2007 at 10:00 am.
Named “Folly,”the 4.2 lb juvenile Kemp’s ridley sea turtle (Lepicochelys kempii) was caught hook and line by a fisherman on Folly Beach fishing pier July 13, 2007. South Carolina Aquarium staff arrived just in time to rescue Folly and bring it to the Aquarium’s Sea Turtle Hospital. It appeared that the turtle’s front left flipper was entangled in the fishing line because there was a deep laceration, commented Shannon Teders, Aquarist with the South Carolina Aquarium who was on site during the rescue. The hook was taken out of the turtle’s mouth by
the fisherman.
During its rehabilitation at the Sea Turtle Hospital, Folly was treated with antibiotics and vitamins. Recent blood work provided hospital staff with a healthy diagnosis, demonstrating Folly’s positive response to the medical care and deeming it releasable.
Kemp’s ridley sea turtles are predominantly found in the Gulf coast but are known to migrate along the Eastern coast of the United States. DuBose Griffin, South Carolina Marine Turtle Program Coordinator, says that when fisherman catch a sea turtle on hook and line, they should remove the turtle from the water using a dip net and not use the monofilament line. If the turtle is not seriously hooked (such as the flipper or beak) then remove the hook. Otherwise, do not attempt to remove the hook or cut the fishing line to release the turtle. This could possibly result in the death of the sea turtle. If the turtle has swallowed the hook or is seriously injured, please call the SCDNR Hotline (1-800-922-5431), so the turtle can be picked up by the Marine Turtle Conservation Program staff and transported to the South Carolina Aquarium Sea Turtle Rescue Program.
The public is encouraged to attend Monday’s release and interact with South Carolina Aquarium Sea Turtle Rescue Program staff. Educational resources and Sea Turtle Rescue Program information will be available. For more information, please visit the aquarium’s website scaquarium.org