Kemp’s ridley (Lepidochelys kempii)

Stranding Location: Sandy Neck Beach, Barnstable, MA

Arrival Date: 12/05/2012

Age: juvenile

Weight: 4 kg (~ 9 lb.)

Case History

Davis is one of ten sea turtles transferred to the South Carolina Aquarium’s (SCA) Sea Turtle Hospital on December 5th, 2012, from the New England Aquarium (NEAq). All ten turtles originally cold-stunned around Cape Cod, MA, in November and December 2012, and were initially treated by NEAq’s Marine Animal Rescue Team. Thanks to the owner of Davis Air, Inc., Gary Davis and pilot Neal McCann, these 10 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 ten sea turtles to be released back into the wild at an earlier date.

Treatment

Initial treatment for Davis included fluids to combat dehydration and a thorough physical exam. In addition to some plastron abrasions, Davis’ lungs appeared cloudy on x-ray (a possible indicator of pneumonia in the early stages), so his antibiotics were extended for an additional 10 doses.

Updates

26 February 2013: Davis is off medications and appears to be doing well. The recent snowstorms in Kansas are delaying blood work processing, but we will be able to better evaluate Davis’ overall health once the lab is back online.

Release Date

06/18/2013

Release Location

Beachwalker County Park, Kiawah, SC