CHARLESTON, S.C. — April 5, 2014 —Grab a friend and head out to see the first public sea turtle release of the year. Huntington, a 177-pound loggerhead sea turtle, will be returned to the ocean at 4:30 p.m. today, May 5, 2014 at the Isle of Palms County Park. The release is being held in partnership with the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) and the Charleston County Parks and Recreation Commission (CCPRC). Attendees should plan to carpool, arrive early, and expect to pay for parking at the county park.
More about Huntington:
Huntington was seen floating and unable to dive in the waters off Huntington Beach State Park by a family and friend boating in the area last May. Recognizing that the large loggerhead was unable to dive and in trouble, the group successfully brought the turtle aboard the boat and contacted SCDNR. Upon admittance to the Aquarium’s Sea Turtle Hospital, it was determined that Huntington was anemic and had abnormally low levels of protein in the blood. Radiographs revealed an intestinal impaction and excessive gas in the intestines which caused the buoyancy disorder. Treatment included vibrational therapy, enemas, fluids and tube feeding of mineral oils to break up the impaction, which passed approximately four weeks after admission. Additional care included antibiotics, vitamin supplements and a healthy diet. Huntington is now robust, healthy and ready to return to the Atlantic Ocean.
You too can help threatened and endangered sea turtles. If you find a sick or injured sea turtle, contact the SCDNR sea turtle hotline at (800) 922-5431. You can also help care for sea turtles in recovery in the Aquarium’s Sea Turtle Rescue Program by going to scaquarium.org and making a donation and by visiting the South Carolina Aquarium and booking a behind-the-scenes tour of the Sea Turtle Hospital.