Kemp’s Ridley (Lepidochelys kempii)

Stranding Location: Surfside Beach, SC
Arrival Date: July 6, 2024
Age: Juvenile
Sex: Unknown
Weight: 2.42 kg (5.3 lbs)

Case History

This juvenile Kemp’s was hooked by a fisherman at the Surfside Beach Fishing Pier. Many thanks to the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) permitted volunteers that responded and transported this turtle to the Aquarium for help!

Treatment

Upon arrival, this patient was very active and in good body condition. We started by taking a radiograph to visualize the hook and were surprised to see two hooks on the x-ray! Neither hook had attached fishing line, which can be helpful to our vets in removing them. One was hooked through the tongue and in the upper esophagus and the second was much further down the esophagus. We were concerned that the hooks would move further down the esophagus since there was no attached fishing line. We decided to sedate Links and attempt to remove the hooks through the mouth. The hook that was stuck in the tongue was able to be removed by cutting it into two pieces. The second hook was too deep to remove through the mouth and we decided to proceed with surgery to remove the second hook. Links was placed in a wet dock (a shallow container filled with foam and a small amount of water) to rest overnight and we  scheduled surgery for two days later.

Updates

July 8, 2024: Links had a successful surgery! While sedated and under anesthesia, our veterinarians made a small incision along the underside of the throat. The eye of the hook was found very quickly and clamped to keep it in view as the rest of the hook was very carefully pulled away from the healthy tissue. The hook had multiple barbs, making it difficult to remove in one piece. Once the shank and barbed end were exposed, our vet staff cut the hook to easily remove it in two pieces. We made quick work from there to flush the area and suture the surgical site closed.

Links recovered from surgery well and went back in her/his tank about half an hour after waking up from the anesthesia. Links was under supervision in the tank to make sure that s/he was taking proper breaths and swimming and resting well. Within 2 hours, Links was back to normal and fully active in the water column. Links is off to a great start in her/his recovery!

August 15, 2024: Links a feisty little Kemps ridley and seems to be feeling much more like her/his wild self lately. The sutured site is healing very well, and Links will eat any protein offered as soon as it hits the water! The sutures will be removed very soon and this little Kemps will be another step forward towards a full recovery.

September 15, 2024: Exciting news! Links was cleared for release after making a full recovery in our Sea Turtle Care Center™. This patient was released off the beach at Folly Beach County Park. Good luck out in the big blue, Links!