Kemp’s ridley (Lepidochelys kempii)
Stranding Location: Sandy Neck, Barnstable, MA
Arrival Date: 12/05/2012
Age: juvenile
Weight: 3.5 kg ( ~8 lb.)
Case History
Kennedy 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
Kennedy’s heart rate was strong upon arrival to our facility at 32 bpm. His physical exam didn’t reveal any issues, but he was given fluids to combat minor transport-induced dehydration. We will also monitor his plastron to ensure the minor lesions heal properly.
Updates
7 April 2013: Today, Kennedy joined a caravan of 52 sea turtles headed to balmy Florida for a multi-facility release coordinated by the NEAq!
Release Date
04/07/2013
Release Location
East Coast of Florida