An exciting and rare visitor to South Carolina shores has
caught the attention of several major news broadcasts such as NPR, Huffington
Post, Post and Courier, USA Today, and Fox News (*queue joke*). A 425lb
leatherback turtle named Yawkey, after the island reserve it was found stranded
on, had taken up temporary residency right next door, at the South Carolina
Aquarium’s Sea Turtle Hospital. Leatherbacks (
Dermochelys coriacea) belong to and are the only member of the
Family Dermochelyidae. Named for its dark, leathery carapace lacking scutes, it
is the first of its kind ever rescued alive in South Carolina. This endangered
species was treated with vitamins and antibiotics to aide in a quick recovery…
which was in fact quick. Today, March 12
th, Yawkey was secretly, but
successfully released on the sandy beach of Isle of Palms. In preparation for
Yawkey’s departure, the turtle was acclimated to current coastal temperatures
of around 58 degrees by cooling
down
water in it’s tank. One of the leatherback’s quirks is its ability to maintain a
deep body temperature enduring the cold waters it is found in.
Bill Chappel, NPR reporter, seemed like an avid turtle
lover, quick to name the turtle’s notable features; immense size, and
temperature regulation. As well as quoting major organizations to further argue his excitement as well as the aquarium staff’s. Ending with the fun fact that they feed on
jelly fish…which explains the special morphology of their mouth. Google image it.
Safe travels, Yawkey.
1 comment:
So glad young Yawkey recovered quickly!
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