Operator: “9-1-1 what is your emergency?”

GSTC: “You have to help me! Turtles… there are so many!”

Operator: “Ma’am, I’m going to ask you to calm down. What seems to be the problem?”

GSTC: “Four sea turtles just arrived, they are bleeding, lethargic, unresponsive, emaciated and I think one has a bone showing! … Oh, please hurry…”

Operator: “We are sending a team to you right now. Stay with me on the phone ma’am, they will be there shortly…”

Today, Brunswick High School’s Oceanography Class joined the Georgia Sea Turtle Center staff to assess and care for their “new patients.” These patients are actually plush sea turtles that have been created as part of a new Education Program, Sea Turtle Rescue 911. This program is an interactive and fun way to learn about the various reasons why sick and injured sea turtles are brought to our Hospital. Four mock sea turtle patients entered the hospital at approximately 12:15pm with symptoms of diseases such as debilitated turtle syndrome, cold stunning, boat strike and complications associated with marine debris.

The Sea Turtle Rescue 911 program is designed for smaller groups of older students (Middle and High School students, and no more than 25 participants), where students use critical thinking skills to determine why each patient has stranded. Each team of budding “veterinary” students was presented with a Case including the following materials; the patient, x-rays, stranding sheets, and basic information. Within their team, the students assigned each other a role (Veterinarian, Vet Technician, Vet Assistant, and Transcriptionist).

After comparing their Case to the other teams, the students explored the Exhibit Gallery and Rehabilitation Pavilion to collect additional research in order to assist in their diagnosis of their patient. Each team then presented their Case to the rest of the class, while Education and Veterinary Staff discussed treatment options for each Case.

GSTC: “Oh thank you, thank you!! The sea turtles have been saved!”

Operator: “You’re welcome ma’am and THANK YOU!”

For more information about this program or any of our Education Programs, please visit our website or call the GSTC Education Team at (912) 635-4076.

~Alicia Marin, Senior Educator
~Amy Hupp, Education Intern

**A special thanks to the entire GSTC Education Team (Sarah Mathias, Kelly O’Keefe, Maura Larson, Emily Goczalk) and GSTC Aquarist, Jeannie Miller, for making this program a huge success!