April 2017 Busy Stranding Month

Strandings in April did not stop on the 4th.  On April 10th, a small, 15 pound turtle was hooked off the Apache Pier.  Anglers were able to raise the turtle to the pier using a drop net.  The Anglers followed prodeedure, did not try to remove the hook by called SC DNR.

NMB STP was called to evaluate and transport to the SC Sea Turtle Care Center in Charleston.  But confusion abounded, this turtle did not quite look like a loggerhead, although the color of a loggerhead, she had a small head.  But she did not look like a true kemps either.  She was declared a HYBRID, cross between a Kemps Ridley and a Loggerhead.....a piece of keratin (outer layer of Carapace) was taken and submitted for analysis to confirm this. 

Quickly named Nigel, she was hooked in the esophagus and easily removed by the Vet and staff at the Center.  Nigel also had a deep punture wound near her right jaw, deep, open cut on her neck and a cut on her right flipper. 

Nigel did well and was released on May 31 at Folly Beach


Just three days later, another call, another hooked turtle on Apache Pier.  This time a 46 pound Loggerhead.  This time the turtle was walked down the pier to the beach.  Very thin, legtharic, something was wrong.  Healthy loggerheads normally do not go after baited lines, they usually swam around piers and get hooked accidently in the soft tissue of thier bodies. 

Marlin was quickly transported to the SC Sea Turtle Care Center.  Hooked removed and Marlin was put on antibodics, becoming more active as the treatment.

Marlin was one of the first patients moved to the newly opened Zucker Sea Turtle Recovery Center, in the main part of the SC Aquarium on June 5.

Marlin was released in a well attended public release on July 19th.

What a beautiful turtle......Good Luck Marlin!!!