SURF CITY--A giant sea turtle is recuperating after cataract surgery at NC State, and another one is about to do the same. The Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center in Surf City is caring for "Kayak" and "Sewee" before they can be released back to sea.
Loggerhead Sea Turtle Kayak was found near Topsail Beach last fall.
"She was almost dead when she came in. It was too shallow there. There weren't really boats going by but the kayak saw her so that's her name," said Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center Executive Director Jean Beasley.
Shortly after being transported to the center, staff noticed Kayak suffered from cataracts.
"At first the eyes were very swollen, very puffy and kind of protruded outside of her head," said volunteer Joe Heidel.
Kayak was sent to NC State for cataract surgery.
"When they brought her back from the vet school, she was trying to get out of the tank and looking all around and would follow people moving," said Beasley.
Beasley thinks Kayak's blindness contributed to her starvation state when she was found.
"We have another turtle who has the same kind of situation, even larger than Kayak," said Beasley.
Sewee was found off the South Carolina coast.
"After her surgery which will be coming up in the next few weeks, and have her cleared by our ophthalmic surgeon and veterinarians on staff and make sure she's ready to be released and she will be released back to the wild as well," said Beasley.
In the meantime, the turtle hospital volunteers and staff will continue care.
"To have an opportunity where we're working closely with a wonderful marine creature is hard to explain to anyone who has never done such a thing," said Heidel.
Kayak and Sewee will both be released back to sea in June.