South Carolina’s Sea Turtle Hospital Releases 150th Rescue

Photo credit: South Carolina Aquarium

This is Boston, a juvenile Kemp’s Ridley sea turtle. Boston was transferred to the South Carolina Aquarium’s Sea Turtle Hospital in late 2014 for rehabilitation.

The South Carolina Aquarium, located in Charleston, has gained quite the reputation for sea turtle rescue, and ready to release the 150th turtle to be rehabilitated in their facility.

The turtle hospital opened 15 years ago with two veterinarians and a biologist, before the aquarium itself opened its doors. A dying loggerhead turtle was brought to them as a last resort call for help.

Photo credit: South Carolina Aquarium

They saved that turtle’s life.

Now after all these years of rescue, their makeshift operation is being renovated into a $5 million, first-floor hospital and exhibit where sea turtles will be cared for and cherished.

Six turtles from the hospital that were found in the New England area have been rehabilitated and will be released into warmer water at Cape Canaveral, FL.

All seven species of sea turtles are considered endangered or threatened. The Kemp’s Ridley is considered the most endangered.

Read more from Charleston newspaper, The Post and Courier.