JAMES ISLAND (WCSC) - Want to help bring a message of compassion for farm animals to Charleston? Join in this Sunday, October 16, for Charleston’s 2011 Walk for Farm Animals.

The Charleston Walk is one of more than 35 fun, community-focused events to help farm animals taking place in cities throughout the U.S. and Canada this fall.

Two turtles that were nursed back to health at the South Carolina Aquarium's turtle hospital were released back into the wild Saturday afternoon from Folly Beach County Park.  Hundreds of onlookers came out to see the event.

Photo source South Carolina Aquarium.

A loggerhead turtle washed up in the 600 block of East Arctic on Folly Beach Monday.  The SC Department of Natural Resources responded to the stranding.  The animal was dead when they arrived on scene.

SCDNR staff determined the turtle was a juvenile based on its size.  The shell measured 29 inches in length.  Given the decomposed state of the animal, cause of death will likely not be able to be determined.

Residents finding stranded turtles are asked to call the SCDNR at 1-800-922-5431 so officials can keep track of the statistics.  So far, 2010 has been an average year, with about one turtle per day being found stranded on the state's beaches.

Photo courtesy Beth Hyams.