Raft and Sandy Go Home

Two lines of onlookers faced an empty path in the sand leading to the ocean. A large black bin was carried from a National Park Service pickup truck and placed next to a small container. Everyone patiently waited to see the contents: two rehabilitated sea turtles ready for release into the wild.

In early June, we were able to release Raft, a loggerhead, and Sandy, a Kemp's ridley, from the beach in Buxton, North Carolina after they were treated here at the Aquarium. STAR Center staff and volunteers, with help from the Network for Endangered Sea Turtles, cared for these animals for many months. Rehabilitating sea turtles is challenging, with the potential for new problems to arise quickly. Even with the obstacles, Raft and Sandy each have their own success story.

Raft

Raft came to the Aquarium in November 2014, covered in barnacles, oysters, seagrass, leeches and leech eggs. This loggerhead was thin and anemic, making it very tired and weak. Raft also had buoyancy issues, causing the rear carapace (or shell) to be elevated above its head when submerged. A 1-pound dive weight was attached to help Raft swim normally, and the floating did not return after its removal. De-worming medication was administered to Raft, and afterwards s/he began eating well and gaining weight. This loggerhead was cleared for release after a final physical exam showed the turtle was in excellent body condition.
Sandy

Sandy was found cold-stunned in early January on Hatteras Island. Upon arrival to the STAR Center, this turtle would not eat. S/he began to accept food after a few weeks, but had unfortunately lost some weight. A shoulder wound and neck lesion were treated by vets and staff, and eventually Sandy began eating well and gained weight. Once the neck lesion decreased in size and his/her overall condition was good, vets cleared Sandy for release.

Our vets implanted these turtles with PIT tags, which can be detected with a special scanner. If they are brought to another rehabilitation facility, these tags will reveal that Raft and Sandy were previously treated here at the Aquarium. Our hope is that they will remain healthy and not require assistance from humans again. However, if either one does run into trouble along the shores of the Outer Banks, we are ready to bring them back to the STAR Center for a second time.

Sandy waiting for release.

Raft was ready to go home!