Heading Back Home
from Staff Reports
What started off as a calm, picturesque morning at Folly Beach County Park, turned into a spirited celebration as the South Carolina Aquarium Sea Turtle Care Center released six rehabilitated sea turtles into the Atlantic Ocean. Beachgoers of all ages joined together to support the journey home for these endangered animals. As the crowd gathered, Aquarium educators walked the beach sharing the stories of the sea turtles’ rehabilitation stay at the Sea Turtle Care Center.
The six patients included three loggerhead sea turtles: Sunstone, Citrine and Moonstone; and three Kemp’s ridley sea turtles: Elsa, Olaf and Gale. Each turtle seemed eager to meet the waves, as they were gently carried to the water, the sight of the ocean and smell of salt in the air igniting a distinct spark in their eyes.
This marks the first public sea turtle release since 2019. The sound of applause filled the air as the sea turtles made the journey home, completing the last chapter of their rehabilitation story.
As of this article, the Sea Turtle Care Center has released 355 patients since its opening.
