Here at the GSTC we not only work with turtles, but also occasionaly have exciting visitors – snakes! The most recent visitor was a female Canebrake Rattlesnake, a species more widely known as the Timber Rattlesnake but that is more widely referred to in coastal areas as Canebrakes.
This beautiful creature, now named Terry, is a participant in a research project at Palmetto Bluff in Bluffton SC that uses radio telemetry. Therefore, the purpose of today’s surgery was not to make a sick animal better but to implant a radio transmitter so that we can follow the snake wherever it moves to learn more about their lives. We implanted the transmitter in her body cavity. Don’t worry; Terry was asleep during surgery and can eat or have babies with no problems from the transmitter!
With Terry’s help, we are learning how animals respond to construction of a residential and recreational development. Terry also helps to teach biologists at Palmetto Bluff and all over the world on how to cohabitate with wildlife so that both the people and the wildlife have homes. Terry also teaches people that snakes are not so bad and aggressive, in fact, they are quite fascinating!

~ Kimberly Andrews Science and Education Director, Palmetto Bluff Conservancy

We say it all the time, but we have to say it again…the volunteers at the sea turtle center are the life blood of all the work we do here.

Not only are they super hard workers but our volunteers also help to bring HUGE smiles to our faces. Most recently, the staff were up to some silliness wearing a custom made turtle cape around the hospital. The volunteers working that day took the fun to a new level and showed the super heroes they really are!

So when you come to the center you’ll see them in gallery answering questions, the gift shop running register, and in the pavilion scooping poop. They are all here to help and make each day a treasure! Be sure to stop and chat with the sea turtle super heroes!

While sea turtle biologists typically use the term “arribada” to describe the mass nesting of hundreds of thousands of sea turtles (Kemp’s Ridleys and Olive Ridleys), today we use it to describe the arrival of 10 students from the University of Central Florida. These dedicated students, are here at the Georgia Sea Turtle Center for one week for an Alternate Spring Break. Instead taking a typically spring break vacation, laying on the beach enjoying the sun, they decided to spend their spring break with us, volunteering!

And their excitement is contagious! They even showed sea turtle love by decorating their van! You may have seen them on their journey this morning, as they tried to encourage other travelers to “honk if you love sea turtles!”

The UCF Group will be volunteering in all aspects of the GSTC, as well as assisting in other departments of the Jekyll Island Authority. Projects include activities such as Beach Monitoring Preparation, Landscaping, Marketing, and Environmental Education/Earth Day Preparation. After a brief orientation, we let them get settled and sent them off to explore Jekyll Island. But not before presenting them with their special turtle-riffic gift bags!

We are truly grateful for their generosity and welcome the opportunity to work with these amazing individuals. Stay tuned for future updates from the students themselves as they talk about their experiences at the Georgia Sea Turtle Center!

~Alicia Marin, Senior Educator

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!