“Magnolia” Gets Released!
This morning, a rescued Loggerhead sea turtle who came to be named “Magnolia” was released back home into the wild of the Atlantic Ocean at Huntington Beach State Park in Murrells Inlet South Carolina.
She was found stranded in nearby Litchfield Beach this past May and initially brought to the South Carolina Aquarium for treatment and rehab. Ultimately, Magnolia was transferred to Ripley’s Aquarium in Myrtle Beach and they were in charge of this morning’s release.
Read more info about Magnolia’s story here if you wish: http://www.scaquarium.org/magnolia
A huge crowd including media were on hand to cheer as the door to her pen was dropped and the now healthy loggerhead could make her way across the sand and directly to the ocean. It turned into quite an emotional moment and more then a few tears were flowing among those in attendance.
I included the first photo to show how the day started off on the beach just after sunrise this morning. It was a grand experience that none of us will ever forget!
Phil Lanoue Photography 
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Thank you for looking! 🙂
Great story and photos, Phil. 👍😃
Thanks a million Sylvia, I’m very happy you liked seeing the sea turtle story!
Lovely story. Wonder how many of those people would happily eat turtle soup though?
It was a nice morning event and it’s true not sure what some people will eat. Alligator is served in some restaurants which drives me crazy.
That’s horrible how could anyone eat Alligators, it should be the other way around. LOL.
I agree 100%
Thank you so much for sharing this very special moment and experience with us! Beautiful photos and story!
Thank you for looking and commenting Vicky and I’m glad you enjoyed seeing Magnolia’s morning on the beach!
Wonderful!!
So glad you liked seeing the sea turtle story and photos!
Wonderful story and photos. Beautiful morning for Magnolia to be released.
It was an absolutely perfect morning and a great start to her new/old life! Hope she is happy out there.
Beautiful turtle let’s hope she has babies so there will be more magnolias.
That’s what we are all hoping for. The good news is that this summer we had a record number of these turtle nests along our area beaches, so more of the little must be making it despite the odds. Give Magnolia a few years and she may return to this same area to make her own nest.
Oh Phil, what wonderful pictures! This really brings tears to one’s eyes! These lovely turtles, along with so many of our ocean creatures, are in such trouble these days, with plastics, etc, that it is terrific to hear good news!
That’s been one bright spot in the sea turtle situation recently. This summer we had a record number of nest in our area!
Thanks very much for checking out these photos Maggie!
Phil,
Just an FYI; in photo #2, the lady with sunglasses clipped to her shirt and the gentleman with the blue hat were key players in Magnolia’s rescue. That’s Jeff McClary who started the SCUTE organization, and one of his volunteers who is certified to transport injured turtles to the Sea Turtle Hospital at the Aquarium. They do great work on our beaches each summer.
Thanks for being there to record Magnolia’s release and for posting photos which so vividly show the results of the good work done by the Sea Turtle Hospital.
Thanks very much for checking out this post Anne, and I greatly appreciate your information about those in attendance. It really is terrific how so many people in our area get together and do much great work in conservation and support for these amazing turtles!
Great story and beautiful pictures. I think she’s smiling in those pictures.
Beautiful ending! The South Carolina Aquarium does a terrific job with their program.