Here at our Sea Turtle Care Center, a dedicated team spend countless hours rehabilitating sea turtles back to health and safety. Smithsonian Earth’s new, original series, “Sea Turtle Rescue,” sheds light on each journey to recovery, from the time the sea turtles are brought into our hospital to the moment they return home at sea. This new six-part, short-form series takes viewers to the front lines with our staff – a team of people dedicated to helping preserve the endangered sea turtles, from massive loggerheads to the Kemp’s ridley, the world’s smallest and most endangered. “Sea Turtle Rescue” is streaming exclusively on Smithsonian Earth, available on Apple®, Roku®, Amazon and at SmithsonianEarthTV.com.
In the premiere episode, viewers meet Glenn and Hopper, two Kemp’s Ridley turtles, one of the rarest species of sea turtles on the planet. When a ship accidentally injures them –one severely – the South Carolina Aquarium Sea Turtle Care Center team must race to perform emergency surgery to save their lives. Episodes and their descriptions are listed below:
Maximum Capacity
A green sea turtle nicknamed Conch has a hole in his shell with an accompanying infection, while a juvenile loggerhead turtle suffers from an encounter with a stingray. It’s another busy summer day at the South Carolina Aquarium Sea Turtle Care Center.
Return to the Wild
It’s a big day on Folly Beach as the South Carolina Aquarium Sea Turtle Care Center gets ready to release two rehabilitated Kemp’s ridley turtles. Every turtle returned to the wild is a major victory for this critically endangered and embattled species.
Hatchling Hotspot
With nearly 6,500 nests in South Carolina, it’s been a banner year for loggerhead turtles. This success is due to the protected status given to beaches with a high number of turtle nesting sites, and the effort of dedicated conservationists. Join them as they carry out their vital role.
The Fight for Sight
The South Carolina Aquarium Sea Turtle Care Center has come across the eighth sea turtle this year with the same, baffling symptom: cloudy vision. Luckily, a local surgeon has offered to perform cataract surgery on female loggerhead, Sumter. Can her sight be restored with this radical procedure?
Smithsonian Earth is offering 2 MONTHS FREE with promo code SCAQUARIUM*. You can also catch the first episode for free on Smithsonian Earth’s Facebook page.
*Offer SCAQUARIUM must be redeemed between 05/25/17 at 12:00 AM ET and 08/31/17 at 11:59 PM ET exclusively through SmithsonianEarthTV.com. Apply promo code at check out. Only valid for new subscribers. Promo code extends the 30-day free trial period by 1 month. Cannot be combined with any other offers, promotions or discounts (other than 30-day free trial)