Kemp’s ridley (Lepidochelys kempii)

Stranding Location: Barnstable, MAArrival Date: 12/10/2014Age: JuvenileWeight: 2.2 kg

Case History

Massey is one of four sea turtles transferred from the New England Aquarium (NEAq) to the South Carolina Aquarium’s Sea Turtle Hospital on December 10, 2014. This was the second group of cold stuns admitted into the hospital this winter, bringing the total transferred to 19. This Kemp’s ridley was one of more than a thousand sea turtles afflicted with severe hypothermia and recovered (alive or dead) from the beaches and nearshore waters of Massachusetts during an unprecedented cold-stunning event in late November 2014. Thanks to the generosity of a private flight donated by Chaz Harris, we are proud to be one of more than 17 facilities nationwide to aid NEAq in caring for the massive number of threatened and endangered sea turtles stranded due to this cold-stunning event.Massey was stabilized and started on antibiotics by the team at NEAq after being found on North Truro Beach on November 23rd. This juvenile ridley was overall in good condition upon stranding but did have some minor lacerations and abrasions. Massey was in decent shape upon arrival to our hospital on December 10th, and we were able to place him in a filtered tank of water after he received a physical exam and radiographs from our vet. Prognosis is good.

Treatment

During his initial exam, radiographs showed potential osteomyelitis in the right front flipper along the humeral head. Massey is currently not showing any swelling in this area but we are keeping a close eye on this potential problem with weekly exams and radiographs. Massey is otherwise doing well, staying active and exhibiting a great appetite.

Release Date

6/30/2015

Release Location

Sullivan’s Island