Cherry Grove Stranding

A little 4 pound Kemps Ridley Sea was hooked off the Cherry Grove Pier late Monday night.  Fisherman hauled the turtle onto the Pier, via the hook and line.  An unsuccessful attempt was made to remove the hook, leader line was cut  just outside it's mouth and the turtle taken to the Tackle Shop, who called the NMB Sea Turtle Patrol.

Patrol picked up the turtle just after 11PM, to late to take to the Sea Turtle Hospital so the turtle was made comfortable for the night and taken in to Charleston first thing in the morning.

X-rays confirmed position of hook still attached to a leader.

Dr. Boylan once again performed his magic and was able to remove the hook and leader without surgery.

"Cherry" will spend a little time resting and recovering from the ordeal.  The staff will watch this little guy over the next few weeks fro signs of further injury from being dragged by the hook and line.

If a turtle is hooked, it is best not to haul onto land, into a boat and especially up onto a Pier using the hook and line.  Further injury can occur.  It is best to use a drop net to either haul up or to push from behind onto the shore if the turtle is to big for the net.

A huge thanks to the folks at Cherry Grove Pier for saving this little critically endangered Kemp's Ridley.