Loggerhead (Caretta caretta)

Stranding Location: Edisto Island, SC

Arrival Date: 05/26/2007

Age: over 30 years (adult male)

Weight: 140 kg (304 lbs)

Case History

This turtle was spotted off of Sullivans Island about 2 weeks ago but despite efforts of DNR and SCA staff, was not able to be rescued. We are thrilled that the turtle came close enough to Edisto Island to be spotted and for the island community to bring him ashore. Edisto was found floating with a crab trap rop entangled around it’s back, left flipper. The rope cut deeply to the bone and the tip of the flipper is gone, possibly by predation, with bone exposed as well.

Treatment

Wound treatment, IV fluids, antibiotic injections ($50 per injection every other day!), pain medication, vitamins B-Complex and K injections, flipper wound treatment.

Updates

18 June 2007: Edisto is responding well to medications. This big male is still not eating…we are told that it is because of the reproductive state he is in currently. We hope he will be tempted by the live blue crabs we are providing

Release Date

10/13/2007

Release Location

Folly Beach, SC