Kemp’s ridley (Lepidochelys kempii)

Stranding Location: Battery Park, Charleston, SC

Arrival Date: 07/23/2011

Age: juvenile

Weight: 3.72 kg (8 lb)

Case History

This little 3.72 kg Kemp’s ridley sea turtle was caught on hook-and-line (as most juvenile ridleys are in SC) at Battery Park in downtown Charleston. The fishermen who caught her were able to remove the hook from her beak and immediately delivered her to our hospital. Battery was in poor condition and in need of rehabilitation when s/he was caught, and we are so thankful that these fishermen helped this endangered sea turtle!

Treatment

Battery had likely been hit by a boat in the recent past, as s/he arrived with healing wounds on her head, shoulder, and carapace. Oddly, these wounds were very similar to Yawkey’s (our little loggerhead), although not quite as severe. Although the wounds were healing on their own, Battery was thin and blood work revealed an elevated WBC and a low PCV (14%) and total solids (1.8). As with Yawkey, Battery’s right front humerus was severely broken, although she does use it to swim.

Release Date

09/30/2011

Release Location

Kiawah Island, SC