posted: June 18, 2025, 9:17 AM
One morning a couple of months ago, an HBTP Stranding Team found a juvenile Green sea turtle covered with barnacles, algae, and tiny crustaceans on Holden Beach. They transported the turtle to the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue & Rehabilitation Center, aka the Sea Turtle Hospital. “Peppermint” was diagnosed with Debilitated Turtle Syndrome (DTS) which is a chronic condition in sea turtles and one of the most frequent causes of strandings in NC this time of year. Turtles with DTS are generally malnourished, dehydrated, underweight or emaciated, lethargic, and frequently covered in epibionts. While trying to survive in the wild, turtles with DTS are often too weak to move around, and this allows epibionts to grow rapidly on their shells and skin. To care for Peppermint, the Sea Turtle Hospital provided freshwater soaks to help kill the epibionts, fluid therapy for rehydration, nutritious food, medical care and a safe place to rest and recuperate.
