Tag: SC Aquarium

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Sea turtle release: DeBordieu

From the SC Aquarium‘s turtle lady:

I have exciting news to share! Recent findings of DeBordieu, 320-pound adult female loggerhead of the Aquarium’s Turtle Hospital since October 2007, have caused us to make some quick decisions concerning her release. DeBordieu is currently producing follicles (yolks) in preparation for the nesting season that is just around the corner. Just in the last week, she has gone into migratory mode with almost constant swimming. She is also completely refusing food. I have just learned that adult female loggerheads have a very small window of mating receptivity. Before and after the small window, the females actually repulse the males. In light of this information, it is very important that DeBordieu get released as soon as possible so that she does not miss that mating window. Mating will allow her to fertilize the follicles and ultimately lead to a productive nesting season. Current water temperatures are in a safe range, especially for an adult animal of Deb’s size.

DeBordieu will be released on Saturday, May 2nd at the Isle of Palms (IOP) County Park at 10am. I hope that you will be able to join us for this release, even with the short notice. The IOP County Park parking lot opens at 9am and parking fees will apply. An extra day will be added to the hospital tour schedule this week so folks can get a chance to see Deb before the Saturday morning release (Wednesday, Thursday or Friday at 1pm). Including Deb, there are currently 9 patients in the Turtle Hospital. Tour information can be found on the Aquariums website at www.scaquarium.org.

The release will be wonderfully timed with the start of sea turtle season in South Carolina. The majority of SC barrier island light’s out ordinances start May 1 and loggerhead nesting begins soon after.

You can keep up with what’s going on with the SC Aquarium‘s Sea Turtle Rescue on their blog.

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Sea turtle release

Next week, July 17 at 12:30PM, the SC Aquarium will be doing its first sea turtle release of 2008.

North Litchfield, a loggerhead sea turtle who entered the South Carolina Aquarium’s Turtle Hospital in April, 2008 has been cleared for release by the Aquarium’s full time veterinarian, Dr. Shane Boylan. On Thursday, July 17, 2008 at 12:30 p.m. join Aquarium staff at Folly Beach County Park to share in the excitement and honor one of the Aquarium’s Sea Turtle Rescue Program’s finest volunteers, William Carlton (Billy) Warren II, who sadly passed away this past March.

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Another turtle release

From the Turtle people at the Aquarium:

“Cape Romain” has been officially cleared for release! As the weather is quickly cooling, we are eager to get this 275-pound adult male loggerhead out to sea. Being released with “Cape Romain” is “Lady Lisa,” a 65-pound juvenile loggerhead that was caught on the SC Department of Natural Resources Marine Resources Division (SCDNR MRD) In-Water research vessel, the Lady Lisa. The release will be held at the pier between 14th Ave. and 10th Ave. on Isle of Palms at 11:00 am, Saturday, November 3rd.

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Sea turtle release

It turned out to be a very nice day for Edisto to head back to the ocean.

By the time I got to the beach, there was already quite the crowd assembled and waiting for Edisto’s arrival.

Assembled crowd

After a bit of a wait, Edisto finally arrived and was taken out of the pickup truck.

Edisto arrives!

It took about 6 guys to haul Edisto out of the truck and deposit him gently onto the beach. I think the large crowd may have spooked him a little because he just kind of stayed there on the beach for a while. They had to pick him up about 3 more times and carry him closer to the water. The device attached to Edisto’s back is a GPS tracking device that will be used to track his movements while he’s out at sea.

Edisto with a GPS tracker

With a little bit of encouragement, he started moving on his own toward the edge of the water.

Edisto making his way to the water

When Edisto finally made it into the water, the crowd sent him off with a great big cheer.

Edisto heading into the ocean

Today’s release was a pretty cool event. There are still a few more turtles recuperating at the Aquarium’s Sea Turtle Hospital so if you missed this one, there will be others coming up. They can always use donations so if you can, help them out a little.

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Another turtle heads back home

Another recovered sea turtle is being released back into the ocean this weekend by the SC Aquarium. Any stranded or injured sea turtles found in the area usually end up recuperating in the Sea Turtle Hospital. This weekend Edisto gets to go back to where he belongs. Come on out and watch! Then you can stick around, interrogateask the aquarium staff questions and hang out on the beach.

Edisto’s release at the Folly Beach County Park is going to be held between 11:30 a.m. and noon on Saturday, October 13th. The time is being pushed forward a bit to give the high tide a little time to go out, hopefully allowing us all to be on the beach with the turtle!

Now, a few things to remember:

The County Parks cost $5 per car to park in their facilities.

This is a HUGE, live animal so if there are delays, please bear with us. There are far worse places to be than on the beach waiting for a sea turtle!

It will probably be crowded so be kind to the folks around you, especially if they are small!

The turtle is going in rain or shine.

The most important thing is to have fun! Interact with Aquarium Staff and Volunteers on the beach and enjoy the release.
It’s right toward the end of my volunteer shift at the Aquarium, so I’m going to try to head out there with my camera as soon as I finish. I’ll have to work fast and try to get done a little early so I make it out there on time.