South Carolina Aquarium Releases 400th Sea Turtle

Do good on family travel by visiting attractions doing good. South Carolina Aquarium recently released its 400^th rehabilitated sea turtle. Jim, a juvenile green sea turtle, joined nine other sea turtles completing their journey home from Little Talbot Island State Park in Jacksonville, Florida.

South Carolina Aquarium Sea Turtle Care Center started with the need to help a sick and injured loggerhead and flourished into a working hospital for conservation awareness and action.

© South Carolina Aquarium Under SCDNR MTP 2024-0004

“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, manager, Sea Turtle Care Center. “Jim had been at the Aquarium since our 30th sea turtle release 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.”

The release group included green, Kemp’s ridley and loggerhead sea turtles, all either threatened or endangered. The group was rescued along the South Carolina coast dealing with ailments from boat strikes to predator bites.

© South Carolina Aquarium Under SCDNR MTP 2024-0004

“Releasing each and every rehabilitated sea turtle is cause for celebration,” Ranly said. “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.”

Learn more.