CHARLESTON, S.C. — The South Carolina Aquarium is one of Charleston's most popular destinations. It is a beautiful facility that hosts wondrous sea life and catches a glimpse of the wonderful relationship with the sea. An outside balcony even gives guests a look at dolphins swimming up close in Charleston Harbor.
One of the most unique parts of this facility though is the Sea Turtle Triage Unit. Thousands of these creatures live in the area, and when they are hurt or sick, they are brought here to recover. Melissa Ranly, the sea turtle care center manager, said the South Carolina Aquarium currently has 14 patients.
"It is like these are hospital beds. So, after we release a turtle, we disinfect the tank, get it ready, just like you would a hospital bed for the next patient. We are taking them all the time and releasing them as soon as possible," Ranly said.
Chuck's Big Adventure in Charleston: South Carolina Aquarium Sea Turtle Triage
The ailments range from sickness to cracked shells to strikes with boat motor blades. Whatever the cause, the staff here seeks to find the quickest but safest way to get these turtles healthy and back to sea.
"We get our sea turtle patients from across the state. We are the only sea turtle hospital in all of South Carolina. We might get them from as far north or south as our coastline runs," Ranly said. "When people find sea turtles, they contact South Carolina's Department of Natural Resources, and they will help get those animals transported to our hospital for rehabilitation. The biggest thing with animal rehabilitation is giving them a safe, calm environment they can heal in."
Some of the turtles can be here as long as a year, and guests to the aquarium can monitor their progress up close and personal as they can view everything inside the tanks. It is truly one of the fan-favorite parts of this Charleston tourist destination.
Meghan Galipeau, an aquarium educator, feels the turtle triage is so important to the South Carolina Aquarium's overall mission.
"One of the things we try to teach people is that everything is connected," Galipeau said. "How, even if you live your life in the middle of the state, you know that your actions can have a positive or negative impact on the oceans, and the health of the oceans can have a positive or negative impact on us."
That fact is really brought out visiting the turtle triage unit. From boats injuring the creatures to plastic getting caught in their throats, visiting here enhances a perspective on the interconnectivity of humans and the oceans.
It's also a lot of fun looking at these beautiful beasts.
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