WOW! What a 48 hours it’s been! As we’ve been busy caring for Georgia we also have been preparing for Dylan’s arrival. Dylan (photo 1) was a “straggler hatchling” rescued from a nest that emerged August 26, 1998 on Jekyll Island. He has spent many years as an ambassador for his species at various education facilities. Most recently he has been at the Georgia Aquarium where he was a star attraction. Our colleagues from the Georgia Aquarium delivered him to us Tuesday to begin his transition back to the wild. Here we will wean him off of hand feeding and make sure that he can detect, pursue and capture live prey items. (Check out The Brunswick News for more details.)

Just as we were receiving Dylan on Tuesday, Nick arrived! Nick was found on Cumberland Island in very poor condition (photo 2) with a very severe head injury (probably from the skeg of a small boat engine). The wound looks like it is more than a week old. Nick was very weak and was covered in algae and small barnacles (early signs of debilitation) when he arrived.

Dr. Norton thoroughly cleaned the wound (photo 3) and we will continue to treat him as best we can with fluids and wound care. However, his chances of recovery are slim – he’s a very sick turtle.

In the meantime, Georgia is lively and is doing well in her life support system (photo 4). We continue administer fluids and perform twice-daily wound care. She’s a real fighter and we are encouraged by her level of activity.

We were able to do X-Rays and endoscopic exam of Georgia’s wounds this morning. Much to our disappointment, we found she has fractures in at least 10 of the bones in her left flipper. Although there were no visible lacerations on the flipper, the X-rays revealed the internal trauma. After re-irrigating and re-dressing her wounds, we placed Georgia in shallow salt water in her life support system where she is resting comfortably tonight.

Tomorrow is a big day here as Dylan arrives from the Georgia Aquarium! Dylan is a 7 year old loggerhead who was rescued as a “straggler hatchling” and has been an ambassador for his species at various educational institutions. Here at the Georgia Sea Turtle Center we will prepare him for release back into the ocean sometime this summer. After he is released, everyone will be able to follow his journeys online by viewing the track from his satellite transmitter!

Dr. Bill Irwin, Director

Sadly we received our first patient today (Mothers’ Day) at the Georgia Sea Turtle Center. We’ve appropriately named her “Georgia” as she is the first-ever sea turtle to be treated at this new facility. Although it is unclear yet whether this is a male or female turtle (she is too small to sex externally), I will refer to her as female for now (in honor of Mothers’ day).

Georgia was found by boaters in the water near Blackbeard Island and was rescued and delivered to one of our Georgia Department of Natural Resources colleagues Adam Mackinnon. Mark Dodd (sea turtle state coordinator with DNR) alerted us and our team assembled as Adam rushed the turtle to Jekyll Island. When she arrived, it was clear that Georgia have been run over by a boat as she had 5 deep propeller wounds. Two of the wounds are very severe and cut completely through her carapace above her left flipper, but a far more dramatic wound runs nearly straight down the middle of her head (similar to “Coquina” who was treated by our colleagues (and friends) at the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center on Topsail Island, NC).

After a physical exam and initial blood work, Georgia was first treated with intravenous and subcutaneous fluids to help with her dehydration. The wounds were then thoroughly cleaned and packed with antimicrobial medications. Her wounds were treated and dressed, she received additional medications for pain and swelling, and she was placed in a “dry dock” holding tank for the night. We will keep a constant eye on her though the night to be sure she is okay and that her environment is appropriate to keep her body temperature stable. When she has had time to rest, we will further examine her injuries tomorrow through digital X-rays and endoscopic examination. We will keep you posted!

Dr. Bill Irwin, Director