500-pound leatherback sea turtle rescued
For the first time in South Carolina, a live leatherback sea turtle washed ashore March 7, 2015 and was admitted to the South Carolina Aquarium Sea Turtle Hospital for treatment.
Read more: Massive leatherback turtle to be released after rescue
Yawkey - sea turtle rescue
The juvenile sea turtle was found on Yawkey South Island Reserve near Georgetown and is one of the few live strandings reported in the U.S.
The stranded sea turtle was given the name Yawkey.
Yawkey - sea turtle rescue
The juvenile sea turtle, estimated to weigh 500 pounds, was transported by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) to the Aquarium to receive treatment.
Yawkey - sea turtle rescue
Yawkey was too big to be weighed on the aquarium's regular scale.
Leatherback sea turtles are the largest turtles on earth.
Yawkey - sea turtle rescue
The juvenile sea turtle was transported by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) to the aquarium for treatment.
Leatherback sea turtles are the largest turtles on earth.
Yawkey - sea turtle rescue
It was a laborious process to transport nearly-500-pound Yawkey inside for care.
Yawkey - sea turtle rescue
Yawkey is believed to be a juvenile, under 10 years old.
Yawkey - sea turtle rescue
Yawkey is examined for injuries.
Yawkey - sea turtle rescue
The staff originally estimated the leatherback at 500 pounds.
They had to use a sling to measure it's actual weight, which was 475 pounds, when their regular scale failed. Yawkey measured 4.5 feet.
Yawkey - sea turtle rescue
Yawkey was found to be hypoglycemic, but had no alarming bloodwork.
Yawkey - sea turtle rescue
The large leatherback sea turtle was transferred to a holding pool and is under continuous observation.
The staff estimated the turtle at 500 pounds. It actually weighs 475 pounds and measures 4.5 feet.
Yawkey - sea turtle rescue
Due to the fact that leatherback sea turtles do poorly in a captive environment, Sea Turtle Hospital team members plan to release the animal back to the wild as soon as possible.
Yawkey - sea turtle rescue
During the spring and fall seasons, leatherback sea turtles migrate through U.S. coastal waters.
Currently they can be found nesting off the Florida coast, a key reason Sea Turtle Hospital team members are eager to return Yawkey to warmer waters.
Yawkey - sea turtle rescue
Yawkey is under 24-hour surveillance.
While the leatherback sea turtle may have an intestinal impaction or have been stranded due to being caught in a fishing net the root cause of the turtle’s stranding may never be identified.
Yawkey - sea turtle rescue
While most sea turtles have hard, bony shells, the leatherback' shell is somewhat flexible and rubbery in feel.
Yawkey - sea turtle rescue
Yawkey is under 24-hour surveillance.
Yawkey - sea turtle rescue
Yawkey receives antibiotics to combat possible internal infections.
The leatherback sea turtles once could be found in every ocean except the Arctic and the Antarctic, but their population is declining quickly in most of the world.
Yawkey - sea turtle rescue
Leatherbacks can grow to up to seven feet and exceed 2,000 pounds in weight.
Yawkey - sea turtle rescue
The leatherback sea turtle is much more spunky than when it first arrived indicating an improvement in health.
Yawkey - sea turtle rescue
Leatherback sea turtles are listed as an endangered species
To learn more about how to help care for sea turtles in recovery at the South Carolina Aquarium Sea Turtle Rescue Program
Read more: Massive leatherback turtle to be released after rescue