Ripley’s Rescues and Returns to the Wild

Based in coastal Carolina, Ripley’s Aquarium of Myrtle Beach strives to help the local community and region, using their resources and knowledge to rescue marine wildlife up and down the coast. Below are a few rescue stories that are near and dear to our hearts!

Magnolia was a female Loggerhead sea turtle found stranded on a local beach, discovered by a beach walker in North Litchfield. She was quickly transported to the South Carolina Aquarium in Charleston, South Carolina, where, 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 signs of improvement, she was moved to Ripley’s Aquarium. The Animal Husbandry Team at Ripley’s removed barnacles from Magnolia’s shell and conducted a series of blood tests and check-ups to ensure she was making progress.

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.

According to Tim Handsel, Director of Husbandry at Ripley’s, “Magnolia was in need of a place to recuperate and recover. We were very pleased with her progress, and she was very active, eating normally and was ready to be released.”