Hunky

Virginia Aquarium Stranding Response Program Tracking

A project of Virginia Aquarium Stranding Response.

click map for full-size version Hunky's travels

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Species: Loggerhead
Life Stage: Juvenile
Gender: Unknown
Release Date: 2011-06-29 02:30:00
Release Location: Virginia Beach, VA
Last Location: 2012-06-01 00:00:00

Adoptive Parents:
Lucas Hills
John Horvath
A.J. Hostetler
Kimberly Deerfield
Peggy Kiefer
Dawn McNally/Ashley Lipinski
Audrey Swart
Emily Rose Dietrick
Jonathan Levy
Mr. Shawver
Todd Pena
Chancie Housholder
Christopher Bornet
Ms. Dobberstein's 2nd Grade Class - Parkwood Elem
Anne Perunko
Northwood Academy

Background

Hunky, a juvenile loggerhead sea turtle, was reported as distressed by fishers on the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel fishing pier on May 12, 2011. The Virginia Beach Marine Police was called on for assistance and was able to take Virginia Aquarium Stranding staff to the turtle. The turtle was quickly located and observed to be entangled around the neck with crab pot line A pot was attached at the bottom, preventing Hunky from being able to swim, but the line allowed just enough room for the turtle to reach the surface and breathe. Trained staff quickly captured the turtle using specialized sea turtle disentanglement gear and Hunky was brought back to the Stranding Center for rehabilitation. The injury to the neck was quite extensive and Hunky had to be treated every day with antibiotics and topical ointments. Hunky responded quickly to treatments and was released, with a satellite transmitter, from the Virginia Aquarium’s research vessel offshore of Virginia Beach on June 29, 2011. Track Hunky on seaturtle.org.