Healthy Loggerhead Ready to Return to the Wild
Myrtle Beach, SC – (September 8, 2016) This Saturday – September 10th, 2016 – Ripley’s Aquarium of Myrtle Beach is set to release “Magnolia”, a female Loggerhead sea turtle that was found stranded on a local beach last spring. The release is set to occur promptly at 8:00am at Huntington Beach State Park at the Main Beach Access across from the Park’s Gift Shop.
Magnolia was discovered by a beach walker in North Litchfield, stranded on the shore near Magnolia Beach, and transported to the South Carolina Aquarium in Charleston, SC. Upon initial examination by the animal care staff at the SC Aquarium Sea Turtle Hospital, Magnolia was found to be emaciated, anemic, covered in barnacles, and made little effort to move. Magnolia was given fluids, vitamins, antibiotics and her vitals were routinely checked until it was determined she was strong enough to travel.
Once Magnolia began to show some signs of improvement, she was moved to the Ripley’s Aquarium back in July. The Animal Husbandry Team at Ripley’s has removed barnacles from Magnolia’s shell and has conducted a series of blood tests and check-ups to ensure she’s making progress. Magnolia has had quite a voracious appetite (she eats about 10 lbs of seafood per day) since her arrival and now weighs in at an impressive 202 lbs.
Earlier today, the Ripley’s Aquarium staff worked alongside Charlotte Hope, a Wildlife Biologist with the SC DNR and Dr. Bob George, the Aquarium’s Chief of Veterinary Services to tag Magnolia and give her one last check-up before her release on Saturday. According to Tim Handsel, Director of Husbandry at Ripley’s, “Magnolia was in need of a place to recuperate and recover. We have been very pleased with her progress, and she is now very active, eating normally and is ready to be released.”
Magnolia’s Release
Who: Public is Invited to Huntington Beach State Park. $5 Park Entry Fee per adult.
What: Release of Magnolia, the rescued Loggerhead Sea Turtle, back into the ocean by Ripley’s Aquarium of Myrtle Beach
When: Saturday, September 10, 2016
Where: Huntington Beach State Park – 16148 Ocean Hwy, Murrells Inlet, SC 29576
About Ripley’s Aquarium and Ripley’s Entertainment, Inc.
Ripley’s Aquarium of Myrtle Beach, open 365 days a year; recognized as one of the top in the nation, has been recognized with the South Carolina Governor’s Cup award as the top visited attraction in the state and is accredited by the American Zoo and Aquarium Association. The Aquarium is best known for its shark exhibit, featuring several species of sharks, sawfish, stingrays and much more in one of the longest underwater tunnels in the world. Ripley’s Attractions of Myrtle Beach also includes the Ripley’s Believe It Or Not! Odditorium, Ripley’s 5D Moving Theater, Ripley’s Haunted Adventure and Ripley’s Marvelous Mirror Maze. Ripley’s is owned by Ripley Entertainment, Inc., celebrating over 96 years of entertainment and attractions worldwide. Ripley Entertainment, Inc. is a global leader in location-based entertainment with more than 12 million guests visiting its 90-plus worldwide attractions annually. For ticket information, call 800-734-8888. If you discover a sea turtle washed up on the beaches of South Carolina, Ripley’s Aquarium asks that you please call the SC DNR Hotline at 1-800-922-5431.”
