Kemp’s ridley (Lepidochelys kempii)

Stranding Location: Great Island, Wellfleet, MA

Arrival Date: 01/15/2012

Age: juvenile

Weight: 4.2 kg (~9 lb)

Case History

Andrew is one of seven sea turtles transferred to the SCA’s Sea Turtle Hospital on January 15th, 2012, from the New England Aquarium (NEAq). All seven turtles originally cold-stunned around Cape Cod, MA, in November and December 2011, and were initially treated by NEAq’s Marine Animal Rescue Team. Thanks to the owner of North American Jets, Mason Holland, and the pilot of the fuel-efficient Eclipse 500 jet, Andy Smith, these 7 turtles received complimentary first-class airfare to our facility to finish their rehabilitation. This transfer not only aids NEAq by freeing up limited resources, but also will allow these seven sea turtles to be released back into the wild at an earlier date.

Treatment

Andrew was very thin for his size at 2.5 kg when he stranded on November 13th, 2011, in Massachusetts, and initial fecals were green and contained sand. NEAq administered a variety of treatments to resolve this little ridley’s various issues, and Andrew was in fair condition and weighed 3.24 kg upon arrival to our hospital. This juvenile ridley is eating and swimming well with his three other tank mates, and we are hopeful he will be released this spring.

Updates

17 April 2012: Andrew has enjoyed the restaurant quality mackerel, salmon, and smelt we feed our turtles in the hospital and is up to a healthier weight of 4.2 kg. SCDNR helped tag all of our cold-stunned ridleys except Merigo today, so Andrew now sports shiny flipper tags on each front flipper in preparation for his release. Stay tuned for details!

Release Date

04/29/2012

Release Location

Isle of Palms County Park, SC