Wadmalaw Island, SC - Born on Seabrook Island nearly three years ago, four juvenile loggerhead turtles hit the Atlantic Ocean for the first time in their lives.

The Department of Natural Resources has 11 turtle nest protection project sites along the southeast coast to improve newly hatched turtles chances of survival. Four of those turtles from the Seabrook Island site were donated to the South Carolina Aquarium in August of 2006

“We have the permits and the hatchlings when they come out. The Aquarium uses a few hatchlings so they can have them in their display for educational purposes,” said Charlotte Hope, biologist with DNR.

While being cared for during their time at the Aquarium, the turtles were also a teaching tool on the importance of protecting wildlife

“We’re hoping to educate the public about these animals and their plight and about the ecosystem that they live in and also hopefully inspire people to help and conserve these animals,” said Shannon Teders, biologist with the Aquarium.

At three years old, the time has come for the reptiles to head to new home well out in the Atlantic Ocean. The turtles were released 64 miles offshore, an ideal location for the turtles to enter the ocean.

“It is the best spot to drop the turtles because it is the perfect culmination of events, warm water from the Gulf stream, which they are used to and sargassum, which is the food source,” said Nigel Bowers, exhibits fabricator with the Aquarium.

Sargassum, floating seaweed, is full of food for the turtles.

“The sargassum weed provides shelter and habitat for a tremendous number of species…there are a lot of small jacks in there, a lot of file fish that don’t get very big, a lot of shrimp and crabs,” said Bowers.

The Aquarium plans to release three turtles this Sunday from their turtle hospital. The release will be at 3pm at Beachwalk Park on Kiawah Island.

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