Hampton

NC Aquariums Cold Stunned Sea Turtle Monitoring

A project of NC Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores.

click map for full-size version After release in the Gulf Stream, Hampton has made a quick return to the coast of North Carolina, near Hatteras. Since then, he has been skirting the coast but managed to stay out of the lethally cold waters of the sounds. Will he keep heading south or stick around the central NC coast? Check often to see where Hampton and Lawson go next!

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Species: Green Turtle
Life Stage: Juvenile
Gender: Unknown
Release Date: 2012-01-31 00:00:00
Release Location: off North Carolina
Last Location: 2012-03-01 14:33:12

Adoptive Parents:
Max Cassell
Crestwood Elementary School, Crestwood, Missouri
Miss Dede's Preschool Class

Background

Hampton, a juvenile green sea turtle, was found on January 4, 2012 on Cape Lookout National Seashore. This turtle suffered from cold stunning brought on by a rapid drop in water temperature. Stranded on the beach, Hampton was rescued by a concerned citizen and with help from the North Carolina Sea Turtle Stranding and Salvage Network. After initial treatment by a veterinarian, this turtle was brought to the NC Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores for rehabilitation. After slow warming to bring Hampton's temperature back to normal, a round of antibiotics to ward off infections, and good food and TLC, Hampton returned to optimal health. With help from a local charter boat captain and researchers from Duke University, Hampton was released offshore in the Gulf Stream off of North Carolina.
Special thanks to the Triad Foundation and the Park Family for the support for this tagging project.