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.