Rescued green sea turtle flies to new home in Grapevine, Texas

Over a year ago, a juvenile green sea turtle was found floating off the coast of South Carolina. A group of volunteer turtle patrollers found him in August of 2012 and were easily able to catch him because he was suffering from a buoyancy issue. The turtle, affectionately known as Eddie, had scar-tissue build-up along an old boat propeller wound that was pressing against the nerve he uses to dive. Because of this buoyancy issue, Eddie would not be able to dive underwater to hunt for food, and was therefore deemed unable to return to the wild.

After his rescue, Eddie was treated at the South Carolina Aquarium Sea Turtle Rescue Program. This program works to rescue, rehabilitate, and release stranded sea turtles from along the South Carolina coast. They admit anywhere from 20 to 30 sea turtles into their care each year. To date, the Sea Turtle Rescue Program has saved and released back into the ocean 133 sea turtles.

During his stay with the Aquarium’s Rescue Program, Eddie received supportive care to help with dehydration and declining blood work, including antibiotics, fluids and vitamin injections.  Treatments for the buoyancy issue included weight belts, weight vests, and weight plates in an attempt to get the turtle to dive.

Although Eddie will never be able to return to the ocean, he will soon be transported to his new forever home at the Sea Life Aquarium in Grapevine, Texas. The staff at Sea Life Aquarium will be escorting Eddie to his new home via a Southwest Airlines flight. (Southwest Airlines graciously donated seats for the sea turtle’s crate.) He will be leaving the morning of May 13, 2014, and will be the first patient of the Rescue Program to be commercially transported. Eddie will be acting as an ambassador for the sea turtle species at his new home with the Sea Life Aquarium.

Because of the wonderful help from volunteer turtle patrollers, Eddie was able to get the care and home that he needs in order to live out his life in full. You, too, can help other sea turtles in need by contacting the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources’ sea turtle hotline at (800) 922-5431. Donations to the Aquarium’s Sea Turtle Rescue Program can be made by going to scaquarium.org.

The Aquarium Sea Turtle Rescue Program is currently treating five patients. In order to track their progress, visit their blog at scaquarium.org.