The South Carolina Aquarium announced researchers are celebrating its 400th rehabilitated sea turtle.
Officials said Jim, a juvenile green seas turtle named in memory of an Aquarium colleague who passed away in 2023, was released alongside nine other sea turtles completing their journey from Little Talbot Island State Park in Jacksonville, FL.
“There are so many emotions we experience with each sea turtle release: pride for their successful rehabilitation, adoration for the impact they had on us, and hope for their journey that lies ahead. A bittersweet feeling settled in with this release, as we remembered the colleague who this turtle was named after,” said Melissa Ranly, Sea Turtle Care Center manager.
The South Carolina Aquarium Sea Turtle Care Center started when an injured loggerhead sea turtle, named Stinky, transformed the place from just a working hospital into a facility for conservation, awareness, and action.
The green seas turtles that were rehabilitated and released alongside Jim were Asiago, Waterloo, Burrata, and Java, named in support of the Charleston Coffee Roasters. The turtles were rescued on the South Carolina coast while dealing with ailments from boat strikes and predator bites.
“Jim had been at the Aquarium since our 30th sea turtle was released 16 years ago, sustaining the critical life support systems for our sea turtle patients and always lending a helping hand. We’re grateful that we could honor his dedication to our mission through this release.
SC Aquarium officials said the released turtles were comprised of three species of turtles: Green, Kemp's ridley and loggerhead sea turtles. The released turtles included three juvenile loggerhead sea turtles — Monterey Jack, Romano, and Fontina.
The three juvenile loggerhead sea turtles were transported to the SC Aquarium after being exposed to cold water temperatures in Cape Cod, MA.
“Releasing each and every rehabilitated sea turtle is cause for celebration,” Ranly reiterates. “But a milestone like this reminds us to reflect on those who helped us get to this point: the state agencies, supporters, sea turtle enthusiasts, and more who believe in us and our mission to save sea turtles .”
