SEA TURTLE STRANDING #3

On May 20th 2022, A stranding call came in just after noon to Linda Mataya (Permit Holder) for NMB

 STP from DNR, a live juvenile Sea Turtle stranding in the surf by Ocean Annies, south of Apache Pier.

   NMB STP is quickly on their way.   As all sea turtles are endangered they are federally and state

 protected, special training and precautions for handling and transporting are required.

Many thanks to Officer Mckinney with the Horry Beach Patrol for calling this sea turtle in, also the first to arrive. While NMB STP was on the way, Officer Mckinney got the Sea Turtle out of the hot sun into the shade and put a wet towel over his Carapace (shell). Thank you to the Beach Patrol, always willing to help.

Soon Chris from NMP STP arrive to transport this Juvenile Sea Turtle to the  SC Sea Turtle Care Center at the SC Aquarium in Charleston.

Photos are quickly taken and sent so the Sea Turtle Care Center in Charleston so stagg will have a better understanding of what might be needed when the Sea Turtles first arrive. Time is often critical. 

Sadly, on the way to the SC Sea Turtle Care Center,  this poor Sea Turtle had passed Away.  DNR will

 perform a necropsy.  This information will be documented as all findings will be useful for the future

 of the Sea Turtles.  This information will be will help in identifying ways we may be able to further

 help in protecting the Sea Turtle Species as well as gaining more information on these Beautiful

 endangered Sea Turtles.

In 2021 while NMB STP was on the way to transport this  Loggerhead Sea Turtle to the SC Sea

 Turtle Care Center in Charleston, Officer Mckinney was also the first to arrive on the Beach of this

 reported Loggerhead stranded on shore.  UNFORTUNATLY when he arrived, someone thinking they

 were helping the Endangered Sea Turtle, pushed this extremely sick, exhausted 85 pound Sea Turtle 

 back out to ocean.  Officer  McKinney then ran out and carried this heavy Loggerhead Sea Turtle back

 out of the ocean while Having to be very careful of his Beak (as the Loggerheads jaws are very

 powerful and could crush his hand or arm if near his mouth) back out of the water. 

This loggerhead was quickly transported by the NMB STP to the SC Sea Turtle Care center at the Aquarium

 in Charleston. To the heartbreak of many, this Loggerhead did not  survive. ( Could this beautiful

 endangered Loggerhead Sea Turtle of survived if it had not been put back into the ocean, we will never

 know.)  

PLEASE HELP SPREAD THE WORD

 BE THE VOICE AND MAKE THE DIFFERENCE FOR ALL THE ENDANGERED SEA TURTLES

(Tell everyone you know)

IF A SEA TURTLE IS WASHED UP ON SHORE, DO NOT  PUT THEM BACK INTO THE OCEAN

(Sea Turtles will only come to shore if nesting, sick, injured or dead )

IF FISHING AND A SEA TURTLE IS CAUGHT BY HOOK, DO NOT THROW BACK INTO THE OCEAN, IF ON A PIER BRING UP WITH A NET, DO NOT PULL UP BY THE LINE.

(As pulling up the Turtle by line will cause more major injuries)

IF IN NMB: CHERRY GROVE PIER AND APACHE PIER HAVE NETS ESCPECIALLY MADE TO BRING UP SEA TURTLES WITHOUT CAUSING ANY MORE DAMAGE TO THE SEA TURTLE

IF YOU HOOK A SEA TURTLE DO NOT  PULL OUT THE HOOK, LEAVE AT LEASE 2 FEET OF LINE.

IF A NESTING SEA TURTLE COMES TO SHORE, LEAVE HER ALONE, DO NOT TOUCH OR SHINE LIGHTS, NO FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY. STAY AWAY FOM HER, LET HER NEST IN PIECE AS NATURE INTENDED.  

All Sea Turtles are Endangered. They are Federally and State Protected by Law

If in NMB or Briarcliff area please call anytime, day or night.

NMB SEA TURTLE PATROL HOTLINE

843-213-9074