WITNESS THE REHABILITATION OF EXTRAORDINARY ENDANGERED SPECIES IN SMITHSONIAN EARTH'S

"SEA TURTLE RESCUE"

A BEHIND-THE-SCENES LOOK AT THE SEA TURTLE CARE CENTER AT THE SOUTH CAROLINA AQUARIUM TO STREAM EXCLUSIVELY ON SMITHSONIAN EARTH ON MAY 23

NEW YORK - MAY 23, 2017 - At the South Carolina Aquarium Sea Turtle Care Center, wildlife heroes spend countless hours rehabilitating sea turtles back to health and safety with sheer determination and compassion. Smithsonian Earth's new, original series, SEA TURTLE RESCUE, sheds light on each journey to recovery, from the time they are brought into the hospital to the moment they return home at sea. This new six-part, short-form series takes viewers to the front lines with the staff who are dedicated to helping preserve the endangered sea turtles, from massive loggerheads to the Kemp's ridley, the world's smallest and most endangered. All six episodes of SEA TURTLE RESCUE begin streaming exclusively on Tuesday, May 23 on Smithsonian Earth, available on Apple(R), Roku(R), Amazon, and at SmithsonianEarthTV.com.

SEA TURTLE RESCUE is an emotional, intimate and sometimes heartbreaking behind-the-scenes look at one of the busiest sea turtle emergency rooms in the country. From pierced shells and fishhook injuries to commercial dredging tragedies and shark and stingray attacks, these turtles don't just wash up on the shores of South Carolina, they are flown in from hundreds of miles away in an effort to preserve this endangered species. At the Sea Turtle Care Center, no job is too big or small, and SEA TURTLE RESCUE aims to shine light on these amazing creatures and their journey.

In the premiere episode, viewers meet Glenn and Hopper, two Kemp's ridley turtles, one of the rarest species of sea turtles on the planet. When a ship accidentally injures them - one severely - the Sea Turtle Care Center team must race to perform emergency surgery to save their lives.

Subsequent episodes available for streaming on May 23 include:

Maximum Capacity

A green sea turtle nicknamed Conch has a hole in his shell with an accompanying infection, while a juvenile loggerhead turtle suffers from an encounter with a stingray in another busy summer day at the Sea Turtle Care Center.

The Comeback

It's a tale of two turtles at the Sea Turtle Care Center, as a pair of endangered Kemp's ridley turtles come in with separate injuries. Hopper has minor abrasions from a dredging accident. Glenn, on the other hand, needs a never-before-attempted procedure to save his life.

Return to the Wild

It's a big day on Folly Beach as the Sea Turtle Care Center gets ready to release two rehabilitated Kemp's ridley turtles. Every turtle returned to the wild is a major victory for this critically endangered and embattled species.

Hatchling Hotspot

With nearly 6,500 nests in South Carolina, it's been a banner year for loggerhead turtles. This success is due to the protected status given to beaches with a high number of turtle nesting sites, and the effort of dedicated conservationists. Join them as they carry out their vital role.

The Fight for Sight

The Sea Turtle Care Center has come across the eighth sea turtle this year with the same, baffling symptom: cloudy vision. Luckily, a local surgeon has offered to perform cataract surgery on a female loggerhead, Sumter. Can her sight be restored with this radical procedure?

Smithsonian Earth is a subscription streaming video service specializing in original nature and wildlife programming shot in stunning 4K Ultra HD resolution that's available through Apple(R), Roku(R), Amazon, and at SmithsonianEarthTV.com.

Smithsonian Networks(TM) is a joint venture between Showtime Networks Inc. and the Smithsonian Institution. Smithsonian Networks operates Smithsonian Earth, through SN Digital LLC. Smithsonian Networks also operates Smithsonian Channel, the place for awe-inspiring stories, powerful documentaries and amazing entertainment across multiple platforms. To learn more, go to www.smithsonianchannel.com, or connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram