South Carolina Aquarium releases three rehabilitated turtles back into the wild

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCIV) — Three turtles rehabilitated by the South Carolina Aquarium were released back into the wild Monday.

Granola, a green sea turtle, Maple Syrup a kemps ridley sea turtle and Scone a kemps ridley turtle were all released bringing the aquarium’s 2024 patient releases to 26 turtles released back into the water.

Maple Syrup was found on the Folly Beach Fishing Pier where it had been accidently hooked by a fisherman. The aquarium reported that the turtle was feisty during treatment, but after some light sedation, the team was able to remove the hook. After the removal Maple Syrup displayed remarkable improvement, according to the aquarium, and was quickly back to eating and swimming regularly.

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Much Like Maple Syrup, Scone was also hooked by a fisherman but on Edisto Beach. In this case, the hook had gone completely through scone’s tongue and was caught on the hyoid, which is a bony structure in a turtle’s throat. Scone had to be put under sedation due to the severity of the injury but with some maneuvering the hook was successfully removed, according to the report. Scone was very active after the procedure and was able to recover and spend his time before release in the Zucker Family Sea Turtle Recovery™ for guests to see.

Granola the green sea turtle was found in north Myrtle Beach stranded in a tide pool with lots of potentially damaging hitchhikers on their shell. Rescuers observed Granola with barnacles, sea lettuce, slipper shells and skeleton shrimp all hitching a free ride on the stranded turtle. To make matters worse the team also observed that Granola had multiple abrasions across their body and ulcers in both eyes.

Shortly after being admitted, Granola was seen scraping off the sea lettuce and eating it and as a result of this, was named for a breakfast food that can be taken to go.

All three turtles were released back in the wild, marking a total of 424 turtles treated and released by the South Carolina Aquarium.