South Carolina Aquarium releases rehabilitated sea turtles at Folly Beach

(WCIV) — The South Carolina Aquarium released six Kemp’s ridley sea turtles Tuesday at Folly Beach County Park.

The six turtles spent time in the Sea Turtle Care Center removing and gaining strength before heading back out to the “big blue,” aquarium officials said.

The release included sea turtles originally from throughout the South Carolina coast, from Grand Strand down to the Lowcountry.

The six turtles:

Crepe was found in North Myrtle Beach. The turtle was hooked and entangled in a fishing line. Aquarium officials said the hook easily fell out after Crepe was reeled in. However, the aquarium still described saving Crepe as a “close call.”

Flapjack was located stranded at North Myrtle Beach. The sea turtle was admitted because it was hooked by a fisherman in the esophagus.

Butter was hooked in the esophagus and found in North Myrtle Beach.

Babka was found hooked by a fisherman and found on Hilton Head Island.

MoJo was found locally in Mount Pleasant and caught on a J-hook “very deep” in the esophagus.

Lastly, Sunny Side was caught on two hooks, one in the front flipper and one embedded in the tongue. The sea turtle was found on Surfside Beach.