Bandit is Ripley's Aquarium of Myrtle Beach's newest SEA-lebrity resident! Just like her name suggests, this resilient sea turtle will steal your heart, just like she stole ours.
Bandit was found stranded on Little St. Simon's Island, GA, in April 2021. She arrived at the Georgia Sea Turtle Center weighing 60 pounds and measuring nearly 2 feet long. The average green sea turtle patient admitted to Georgia Sea Turtle Center weighs around 7 pounds and is less than a foot long, so Bandit was quite a sight to see!
Bandit traveled to the aquarium in style! Thanks to an organization called Turtles Fly Too , Bandit was able to fly from Georgia Sea Turtle Center to Myrtle Beach in no time.
If you look closely, you’ll spot a small pouch on the back of Bandit's shell. This mobility aid became essential after a boat propeller injury left her with partial paralysis and buoyancy issues. Thanks to this special weight pouch, Bandit can now swim comfortably and freely.
Bandit is a green sea turtle, just like our resident turtle Gabby! Green sea turtles are currently considered critically endangered in the wild partially due to loss of nesting habitats and changes in climate. At Ripley's Aquarium, we're always committed to fostering conservation efforts and advancements in the sustainability of species, so curious critters like Bandit can continue to swim around for years to come.
You can SEA Bandit for yourself at the Marine Science Research Center at Ripley's Aquarium of Myrtle Beach !
