Kemp’s ridley (Lepidochelys kempii)

Stranding Location: Wellfleet, MAArrival Date: 12/10/2014Age: JuvenileWeight: 2.42 kg

Case History

Prescott is one of four sea turtles transferred from the New England Aquarium (NEAq) to the South Carolina Aquarium’s Sea Turtle Hospital on December 10, 2014. This was the second group of cold stuns admitted into the hospital this winter, bringing the total transferred to 19. This Kemp’s ridley was one of more than a thousand sea turtles afflicted with severe hypothermia and recovered (alive or dead) from the beaches and nearshore waters of Massachusetts during an unprecedented cold-stunning event in late November 2014. Thanks to the generosity of a private flight donated by Chaz Harris, we are proud to be one of more than 17 facilities nationwide to aid NEAq in caring for the massive number of threatened and endangered sea turtles stranded due to this cold-stunning event.Prescott was stabilized and started on antibiotics by the team at NEAq after being found on Jeremey Point at high tide November 23rd. This juvenile ridley was very lethargic and taking only one breath every 5-7 minutes. Prescott greatly improved during his short stay the NEAq and was in decent shape upon arrival to our hospital December 10th, and we were able to place him in a filtered tank of water after he received a physical exam and radiographs from our vet. Prognosis is good.

Treatment

After his physical exam, radiographs revealed osteomyelitis in the left front flipper along the lateral humeral head. Prescott is currently being treated with Amikacin in an effort to reduce the infection and inflammation in these joints. We will keep a close eye on this joint, monitoring with weekly exams and radiographs. Regardless of this diagnosis, Prescott continues to be active in his tank and has a great appetite.

Release Date

July 15, 2015

Release Location

Isle of Palms, SC