Kemp’s ridley (Lepidochelys kempii)

Stranding Location: Harbor Island, SC

Arrival Date: 07/24/2007

Age: juvenile

Weight: 2.7 kg (6.0 pounds)

Case History

Caught by fisherman on hook and line; brought to Charleston by SCDNR. Put under anesthesia to extract the hook deeply embedded in toungue. Turtle otherwise looks great and can hopefully be released soon.

Treatment

Hook removal, antibiotics to flush the wound, bloodwork, time to monitor and let antibiotics to work out of his system.

Updates

This is the fourth Kemp’s ridley to come into our facility that was caught on hook and line and the hook had to be removed surgically. There have been many more Kemp’s sightings as well as hook and line captures which are not listed here. Lots of juvenile Kemp’s ridleys this year!

24 September 2007: Harbor Island was released with another Kemps ridley on Friday. It was a great turnout on Beachwalker Park. We wish the turtles the best in their travels!

Release Date

09/21/2007

Release Location

Beachwalker Park, Kiawah Island, SC