Kemp’s Ridley (Lepidochelys kempii)

Stranding Location: Folly Beach, SC
Arrival Date: 11/1/24
Age: Juvenile
Sex: Unknown
Weight: 6.4 kg (14.0 lbs)

Case History

Beignet is a juvenile Kemp’s ridley sea turtle that was hooked by a fisherman on the Folly Beach Fishing Pier. The angler reported the hooked turtle to the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources and a permitted volunteer quickly responded to assess and safely hold the animal until transport to Aquarium for treatment.

Treatment

Beignet arrived active and in good body condition. We started by taking a radiograph to visualize the size and positioning of the fish hook. Unfortunately, the fish hook was very large, very thick and was located in the upper esophagus. Based on Beignet’s bloodwork, the decision was made move forward with an attempt at an oral hook removal. Beignet was sedated for us to visualize the hook using the attached fishing line. This fish hook had punctured all the way through the esophagus and in order to safely remove it, the fish hook had to be cut in half. This fish hook was incredibly thick and it took multiple people and a variety of tools to cut it in half!

After this successful fish hook removal, Beignet was given medications to reverse the sedation and pain medication was administered. After fully waking up, Beignet was moved to a half-full tank of water to continue recovery.

Updates

November 15, 2024: In the days after admit, Beignet began defecating crab hash — the parts of the crab that cannot be digested! This is common for Kemp’s ridley patients since this is one of their preferred food sources in the wild and is always a good sign that the patients’ gastrointestinal tract is working properly. Beignet has also begun eating and is swimming well in a full tank now!