Saving Turtles

In October 2023, a patient arrived at the South Carolina Aquarium. It was taken to the Sea Turtle Care Center. The turtle was given the name Ricotta. It was tangled in fishing line. And it had swallowed some. Two surgeries were needed to remove the line.

Ricotta is prepped for surgery to remove fishing line from its intestines.

Grace Buschiazzo is a sea turtle biologist. She works at the care center. Ricotta was a memorable patient, she says. But Ricotta’s story is not unusual. Many turtles have come to the center tangled in fishing line.

Buschiazzo and her team care for turtles who are entangled. They help others that have been hit by a boat or bitten. Buschiazzo loves “getting to see the whole process,” she says. “From rescue and rehab to release.”

TFK Kid Reporter Milo Bhushan visits the South Carolina Aquarium to talk with Buschiazzo.

Finding Her Way

Buschiazzo was interested in marine biology as a kid. Then at 15, she went to Panama. She volunteered to help protect sea turtle eggs. That’s when she fell in love with the animals.

Buschiazzo got her degree in marine science. She continued to volunteer with turtles. In March 2023, she started working at the South Carolina Aquarium.

In its 24 years, the Sea Turtle Care Center has released 430 turtles back to the wild.

A Day in the Life

At the Sea Turtle Care Center, Buschiazzo works with veterinarians. She helps with surgeries. She prepares meals for the turtles. She does whatever is necessary to help the turtles recover.

Buschiazzo and a team member take a close look at a juvenile Kemp’s ridley sea turtle.

When they do, they’re released back into the sea. Since 2000, the Sea Turtle Care Center has released more than 400 turtles. This year, Ricotta joined that list. “I was there,” Buschiazzo says. “I got to watch it, and it was fantastic.”