Kemp’s Ridley (Lepidochelys kempii)
Stranding Location: Folly Beach Fishing Pier, Folly Beach, SC
Arrival Date: 4/13/24
Age: Juvenile
Sex: Unknown
Weight: 2.65 kg (5.84 lbs)
Case History
Poptart is a juvenile Kemp’s ridley that was accidently caught by hook and line at the Folly Beach Fishing Pier. The angler reported the turtle to the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) and a SCDNR volunteer was able to respond quickly to transport Poptart to the Aquarium for treatment.
If you ever accidentally catch a sea turtle, leaving the fishing line attached doesn’t seem like something that you should do, however it’s actually really helpful for our veterinarians! We recommend leaving about a foot of line and taping it to the back of the turtle’s shell. This provides us with a pathway directly to the hook for hopefully an easy removal!
Treatment
Upon arrival, Poptart came in feisty with good energy. The turtle was in good body condition with a healthy weight, but had a couple of superficial abrasions on the carapace (top shell). Vet staff took radiographs to check the status of the hook and evaluate removal possibilities. The partial hook was confirmed to be in the esophagus, but was just too far out of reach to be removed orally. We considered its position and were hopeful that the hook may be able to be passed by the patient without surgical intervention. Poptart was given fluids to rehydrate, and the superficial wounds were cleaned up with a topical antiseptic solution. We’ll take a series of radiographs over the next few days to watch the movement of the hook and consider our next steps.
Following the initial intake and triage, Poptart was approved for a swim test in a full tank of water. S/he did swimmingly! The little turtle made quite the splash when introduced, and was actively swimming at the surface with quick breaths while learning to navigate the tank walls. Eventually, Poptart slowed down and became more explorative of the surroundings with less frequent but more full breaths at the surface. By the end of the day, Poptart had adjusted well to her/his new temporary home!
Updates
April 17, 2024: In general, we are seeing great energy levels from Poptart and no indicators that this animal is uncomfortable. Radiographs have been taken every day since this little turtle’s arrival and unfortunately the hook has not moved. This means we will move to a surgical removal!
April 21, 2024: Poptart has had a big few days here in the Sea Turtle Care Center™. We performed a surgical procedure to remove the hook, and Poptart is now hook-free! This little Kemp’s is recovering well in a full tank of water in Zucker Family Sea Turtle Recovery™, so stop by and say hi!