Kemp’s ridley (Lepidochelys kempii)

Stranding Location: Great Island, Wellfleet Harbor, MA

Arrival Date: 01/15/2012

Age: juvenile

Weight: 3.56 kg (~8 lb)

Case History

Sampson is one of seven sea turtles transferred to the SCA’s Sea Turtle Hospital on January 15th, 2012, from the New England Aquarium (NEAq). All seven turtles originally cold-stunned around Cape Cod, MA, in November and December 2011, and were initially treated by NEAq’s Marine Animal Rescue Team. Thanks to the owner of North American Jets, Mason Holland, and the pilot of the fuel-efficient Eclipse 500 jet, Andy Smith, these 7 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 seven sea turtles to be released back into the wild at an earlier date.

Treatment

This 2.71 kg ridley arrived in good condition and required no medications upon admittance to our hospital. Initial treatment at NEAq, which included antibiotics, fluids, iron dextran, and vitamins, appears to have been successful. Our efforts will focus on putting a little weight on this thin turtle so s/he will be in excellent condition for release this spring.

Updates

17 April 2012: SCDNR helped tag all of our cold-stunned ridleys except Merigo today, so Sampson now sports shiny flipper tags on each front flipper in preparation for his release.

Release Date

04/29/2012

Release Location

Isle of Palms County Park, SC