Kemp’s ridley (Lepidochelys kempii)

Stranding Location: Brewster, Barnstable, MA

Arrival Date: 01/14/2013

Age: juvenile

Weight: 2.88 kg (~ 6.5 lb.)

Case History

Brewster is one of five sea turtles transferred to the South Carolina Aquarium’s (SCA) Sea Turtle Hospital on January 14th, 2012, from the New England Aquarium (NEAq). All five turtles originally cold-stunned around Cape Cod, MA, in November and December 2012, and were initially treated by NEAq’s Marine Animal Rescue Team. This is the largest cold stunning event to occur along the New England coast.Thanks Michael Taylor, these five sea 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 five sea turtles to be released back into the wild at an earlier date.

Treatment

Brewster’s treatment has been minimal, consisting only of his completion of his round of antibiotics and radiographs to monitor his bone health. Hopefully this turtle will be released back into the wild soon!

Release Date

07/09/2013

Release Location

Isle of Palms, SC