Rehabilitated sea turtles, Brie and Gruyere, returned to the Atlantic Ocean

FOLLY BEACH, S.C. (WCBD) – Two endangered loggerhead sea turtles, Brie and Gruyere, returned to the ocean this week following an extensive rehabilitation at the South Carolina Aquarium’s Sea Turtle Care Center.

A crowd gathered Wednesday afternoon to cheer on the sea turtles as they made the journey from the sand of Folly Beach to the waters of the Atlantic Ocean.

Gruyere’s journey began last December after being found floating in Cape Cod with a severely low body temperature, according to SC Aquarium leaders. The sea turtle was rescued alongside hundreds of others by the New England Aquarium before coming to Charleston where it received treatment for cold stunning and pneumonia.

The sea turtle began eating right away despite its ailments and recovered after only a few months of antibiotic treatment and rest.

Brie was found on South Litchfield Beach last summer suffering from debilitated turtle syndrome, which left it thin, lethargic, and severely dehydrated.

Only weighing 69 pounds, Brie needed immediate intensive care consisting of fluids, vitamins, antibiotics, and a gradual increase in food. After a year of treatment, Brie weighed roughly 120 pounds and was ready to return to its natural habitat.

“Each of these sea turtles captured the hearts of our guests, but Brie, who had been with us for so long, was particularly special,” said Melissa Ranly, Sea Turtle Care Center manager. “Many visitors made it a point to stop by on every trip to the Aquarium to check on her progress, celebrating each recovery milestone alongside us. It was incredibly meaningful to have so many of those supporters join us on the beach to witness her return to the ocean.”

The aquarium began treating sea turtles many years ago after discovering a sick and injured loggerhead named Stinky. Since then, the South Carolina Aquarium Sea Turtle Care Center has grown well beyond just serving as a hospital – but a powerful conduit for conservation awareness and action.

It marked a milestone 400 ^th sea turtle release in February.

Guests visiting the SC Aquarium can witness efforts in action and come face-to-face with current sea turtle patients, read their stories, and learn how to protect them.

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