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August 12, 2010

Sea turtle hospital news

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 Re-Print from The Topsail Voice. Click HERE to view the original article.

TOPSAIL VOICE

By Karen Sota
Published: Wednesday, August 11, 2010 9:40 AM EDT

Leaving? So soon?

It’s been a crazy summer and it’s just flown by. Our college interns are headed back to school, or out into the cruel world in search of gainful employment. They’re taking lots of memories with them, and we thank them for giving us a bit of a break for what seemed like a very short time. Flipper hugs, guys.

Meet Remembrance




Speaking of our summer interns, they weren’t on the job more than a few days before one very sick Loggerhead arrived on the scene. Admitted on May 31, Remembrance was named in honor of those who fought for our country so that we could live in freedom.

This little lady was in the right place at the right time. A very concerned couple spotted her bobbing in the water near Masonboro Island, and stayed with her until our Wrightsville Beach coordinator, Nancy Fahey came to retrieve her. She arrived at our hospital emaciated and covered with barnacles and other ocean debris. She was so fragile that we wondered if something as innocuous as a gentle misting was going to send her over the edge.

After a few days in very shallow fresh water, under the constant care of intern Amanda it looked like maybe she had enough fight left in her to make it. Looking back on those first few weeks it’s obvious that this turtle is the 2010 poster child for the power of a strong will to live. But we can’t overlook the fact that she also had the benefit of our decades-plus experience in sea turtle rehabilitation, and the positive vibes flowing from hospital staff and visitors.


Long story short – she’s another one of our hospital miracles. And now that she’s feeling so much better her sparkling personality is really making her a standout in a sea (no pun intended) of turtles. She’s inquisitive and constantly thinks of ways to amuse herself. She’s fascinated by the water coming into her tank and enjoys playing catch with it. Remembrance is obviously happy and grateful for a second chance. She makes us smile.

Topsail Turtle Project

Wow – 97 nests and counting. The Loggerhead mamas are really industrious this year and we’re thrilled about the possibility of breaking 100 before the nesting season ends this month.

Island visitors and residents have always been great at reporting any and all sea turtle activity, but this year you’ve been especially attentive as our additional eyes on the beach. Our dedicated Topsail Turtle Project volunteers have already been pulling double shifts as their nests begin to hatch. You can keep up with nesting stats on our website: www.seaturtlehospital.org.

Michael Coyne (Administrator of seaturtle.org) was recently able to attach satellite tracking tags to two of our nesting Topsail Loggerheads, Topsail Belle and Naytiri. You can watch them journey up and down the Atlantic coast on www.seaturtle.org. You can also spy on Sennet, one of our rehabbed turtles who left us last September with his own satellite tracker.

Keep your eyes open for any and all sea turtle activity (nesting, stranding, harassment and/or unattended holes that could trap nesting mamas.) If you spot something contact Terry Meyer, our Director of Beach Operations, at 910-470-2880.

Note: We can tell the difference between Harris-Teeter Grade A Large and sea turtle eggs, and burying them is neither clever nor amusing. It’s just a waste of time and money.

Hospital Tours

We will remain open daily (except Wednesday & Sunday) from 2-4 p.m. through August. Meet five of our patients during your tour of our hospital, including our resident Kemp’s Ambassador Lennie. I’ve notice that Lennie has been furiously writing in his journal, and I’m really curious about what he’s putting in there. But every time I try to get a peek at it he tucks it under his flippers and refuses to hand it over.

Our record crowds are continuing and lines can be long. Come prepared with umbrellas and sunscreen, and if you live locally Saturday is the best day to visit. We have plenty of stock in our gift shop so don’t leave without checking out the new T-shirt colors and other items exclusive to our hospital.

This is our final summer in our current location, behind the blue water tank in Topsail Beach. Please feed that big donation jar on your way out. All contributions go toward our new facility as well as fund our work at our current location. We’re staffed by volunteers and completely supported by your donations!

Turtle Talks

Our popular “Turtle Talks” is back every Wednesday, through August. This family-friendly introduction to the wonderful world of sea turtles is held at the Surf City Community Center from 3:45 – 4:45 p.m. (so you won’t get caught at the bridge). There are lots of handouts and hands-on stuff for kids and adults. It’s fun, informative and free, but of course donations for our turtles and the hospital are gratefully accepted.

Questions/Comments?    Contact me at: flippers@embarqmail.com with questions or comments.  For an application to become a hospital volunteer or to be added to our future e-newsletter contact me at: flippers@att.net.

(Karen Sota is a volunteer at the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center, a.k.a. the turtle hospital. For more information on the sea turtle hospital go to www.seaturtehospital.org.)







Till next time....
Tight lines
Johnny and Donna 

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