HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. (WSAV) — Hilton Head Island’s 100th loggerhead turtle nest was discovered Wednesday morning by the HHI Sea Turtle Patrol at Palmetto Dunes. Two more nests were found since then. This is a big step up from this time last year when 79 nests had been discovered. A total of 204 nests…
Today Show host Craig Melvin was surprised live on air with a sea turtle nest dedicated by the Chamber and Sea Turtle Patrol in honor of the Melvin family’s love for all things Hilton Head Island and the great memories they’ve made here on vacation. Check out the clip from the Today Show here: https://www.today.com/today/amp-video/mmvo241251397893…
Sea Turtle Patrol HHI Executive Director, Amber Kuehn, explains how the Hilton Head beach renourishment may affect the 2025 sea turtle nesting season.
(WSAV) — The Sea Turtle Patrol Hilton Head Island (STPHHI) announced that the first sea turtle nest of the 2025 season was laid Wednesday, with a special tribute to Jay Wiendl. Click here to read full article
A whale that beached itself on Hilton Head Island on May 4 has been euthanized, local officials announced. The whale, which officials have identified as a juvenile sperm whale, was sedated and euthanized the night of May 4. Officials in Hilton Head who cared for the beached whale thanked NOAA for its help. Local officials also thanked…
Amber Kuehn joined WTOC11’s Morning Break to talk about the the Mom’s Day 5k and ‘Loggerhead Loop’ Fun Run on May 10 at Coligny Beach Park where moms can run on the beach and kids can be a turtle for a day. To register, click here. To watch the interview, click here.
“Below average temperatures could bring cold-stunned sea turtles to shore in the coming days. Hilton Head Island’s Sea Turtle Patrol asks those who wander Lowcountry beaches or venture out on boats to keep an eye out for the lethargic sea-faring reptiles.” “The turtles may be floating on the ocean surface or be washed ashore, unable to move, said…
Hilton Head Island has rescued three cold-stunned sea turtles in 2025 so far and more are expected.
As the temperatures lower, the risk of sea turtles being cold stunned rises. Click here to read the WSAV article about the first cold stunned sea turtle of 2025 on Hilton Head Island.
A green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) encountered around Hilton Head Island represents one of the world’s largest hard‑shelled marine reptiles, known for their herbivorous diet and reliance on warm, shallow coastal habitats. Although loggerheads dominate South Carolina nesting activity, juvenile green turtles forage in the region’s estuaries, where seagrass and algae provide essential nutrition. Like all reptiles, green turtles are ectothermic, meaning their body temperature depends on the surrounding water. When sudden winter cold fronts push water temperatures below roughly 50°F (10°C), turtles can experience cold‑stunning, a hypothermic state in which they become lethargic, lose the ability to swim, and may float to the surface or wash ashore. Cold‑stunned turtles are vulnerable to drowning, boat strikes, and predation, and require rapid rescue to prevent secondary complications such as pneumonia or shock. Conservation groups along the Southeast coast monitor for these events, as even a single cold snap can impact multiple species—including green turtles—within the island’s interconnected marshes and tidal creeks. Understanding cold‑stunning helps highlight how sensitive sea turtles are to temperature shifts and why protecting their habitats is essential for long‑term survival.
