MYRTLE BEACH, SC (WBTW)  Beneath the quiet water of tank number, tucked blocks away from the highly visited Ripley’s Aquarium swim eight happy and healthy turtles.

They easily glide around and even take a quick moment to pose for the camera. This wasn’t the case just a few months ago.

In January, Ripley’s Aquarium of Myrtle Beach, received the eight ‘Cold-Stunned’ Sea Turtles found washed up on North Carolina Shoreline, for care and rehabilitation.

‘Cold Stunned’ simply means – Hypothermia due to the sudden temperature drop in coastal waters. After 4 weeks of care by the Husbandry Team at Ripley’s Aquarium, led by Senior Aquarist Sean Boyd, the turtles have improved to the point SC DNR has authorized their release into the warmer waters of St. Augustine, Florida.

“It’s bittersweet,” Boyd said of the feeling of setting them back into the water. “It’s amazing seeing them from when they first came in, seeing them now and seeing how active they are.”

An H20 peek-a-boo are some of the final moments before being packed ever so lovingly and delicately into boxes headed South. A rehab process complete and a healthy turtle is a job well done for their human friends

“During their stay with us here at Ripley’s Aquarium, each turtle has received antibiotics, blood tests, weight measurements and constant observation to ensure their return to normal eating patterns and good health,” said Tim Handsel, Director of Husbandry at Ripley’s Aquarium.

When the turtles arrived at the beginning of the year it was a much different story.

“Their respiratory system slowed down, their circulation slowed down and they just started to slowly lose function of their organs.” Boyd said of the condition of the ‘Cold Stunned’ turtles.

The team fed the Green Sea Turtles a diet of about a half a pound of food a day including Romaine lettuce, various types of fish, squid and shrimp. The big diet restores the weight lost from the ‘cold stun’.

“Turtles are very resilient creatures,” said Sean Boyd, “and important members of our marine eco system. If you discover a sea turtle washed up on the beaches of South Carolina, we ask that you please call the SC DNR Hotline at 1-800-922-5431.”

The turtle’s release is scheduled for Monday afternoon in St. Augustine, Florida at Washington Oaks State Park. The Team from Ripley’s Aquarium will be ensuring their safe return to the ocean.

If you like to see more photos or videos of the turtles recovering and return to the ocean you can visit Ripley’s Facebook page or their website.