Greetings and Happy New Year!
We have just reached the end of another busy and exciting year for the South Carolina Aquarium Sea Turtle Rescue Program. With 27 live stranded sea turtles admitted, 2013 was the second highest admission year since the program began in 2000. In addition, 31 sea turtles were released, far more than any year prior, bringing the Aquarium to 131 total releases. The photo above (courtesy of Mary Pringle) is of a 2013 sea turtle release at the Isle of Palms County Park with a crowd that has become typical for these highly anticipated events.
Six sea turtles are currently receiving treatment in the Aquarium’s Sea Turtle Hospital. Although this is a low number compared to the last several years, the turtles are quite large and the medical cases stubborn, so the workload remains substantial. Be sure to find out about all of the exciting things happening at the Aquarium by checking out the new South Carolina Aquarium Sea Turtle Rescue Program page of our website and keep up to date with current hospital patients and Sea Turtle Hospital news on the Sea Turtle Rescue Program Blog.
In case you missed the recent Sea Rescue episode on ABC featuring the South Carolina Aquarium, a loggerhead named Cape Romain, and partner organizations including SCDNR Marine Turtle Conservation Program and USFWS Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge, you can watch it online at hulu. Cape Romain is featured in the second half of Season 3, Episode 3, Trapped and Helpless. What an amazing story that demonstrates the true resiliency of sea turtles!
We would never be able to accomplish what we do without the dedication and support of many passionate volunteers, student interns, generous donors, and supportive partner organizations. Thank you, thank you, thank you, all!
Wishing you the best for a happy and healthy new year,
Kelly Thorvalson