Kemp’s ridley (Lepidochelys kempii)
Stranding Location: Myrtle Beach, SC
Arrival Date: 5/31/2025
Age: Juvenile
Sex: Unknown
Weight: 2.29 kg (5.04 lbs)
Case History
Sweet Caroline was admitted after being hooked by a fisherman at the Myrtle Beach State Park Fishing Pier. Many thanks to the Myrtle Beach State Park rangers and South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) staff and volunteers who were involved in the response and safe transport of Sweet Caroline to the Aquarium.
Treatment
Sweet Caroline arrived bright, alert and feisty! S/he had a fish hook present on the left side of the oral cavity. Our physical exam revealed that Sweet Caroline was a little underweight but otherwise healthy on the outside! After the physical exam our team took a blood sample in order to identify if s/he was stable enough for our team to safely remove the hook with light sedation. The bloodwork results help us understand how healthy (or not healthy) a patient is on the inside and direct us on which medications s/he needs. Sweet Caroline’s bloodwork indicated that s/he was extremely stressed, which is not surprising.
We decided that getting the fish hook out as quickly as possible and putting Sweet Caroline back in water would allow her/him to relax. Sweet Caroline was lightly sedated and our team was able to successfully remove the hook from the oral cavity in a timely manner. During the procedure, we administered fluids, vitamins, antibiotics and pain medication. Sweet Caroline was exhibiting enough strength after the hook removal to be introduced into a full tank of water. Sweet Caroline is swimming well and taking time to rest!
Updates
June 3, 2025: After admit, each of our patients receives a “trial diet”, which helps staff gauge the patient’s overall interest in eating and reveals and diet preferences. Initially, Sweet Caroline was offered a small amount of lake smelt and showed little interest in eating it. This could have been due to pain from the fish hook wound in her/his mouth. We offered lake smelt again the following day and she ate it all! As Sweet Caroline continues to eat her entire diet, we will slowly increase the amount of fish being offered each day to help this little one gain some weight!
July 15, 2025: Sweet Caroline has had a big month! S/he was moved to the first floor of the Aquarium into a shared tank with three other Kemp’s ridley sea turtles! In addition, Sweet Caroline is now eating everything we offer and is gaining weight well. In the next few weeks we are hoping to tag this patient in preparation for her/his release back out into the big blue!
August 15, 2025: Sweet Caroline was tagged this month! This is an important step towards being able to return back to the big blue! We are waiting just a little bit longer for Sweet Caroline to gain a bit more weight before s/he can be cleared for release!
August 27, 2025: This little Kemp’s was released at Folly Beach County Park! Swim fast, little one!