April 24^th marked the 6^th annual Marine Science Center‘s Turtle Trot up on Tybee Island, GA and the second year in a row that the GSTC team was there to release some of our sea turtle patients back to the ocean. This year we were saying goodbye and good luck to Kera and Mr. Hyde. Both are sub-adult loggerheads who came to us from North Carolina as cold-stun patients (see April 20^th blog for more information!). After a few months of care by the GSTC staff, Kera and Mr. Hyde were ready to go.

Mr. Hyde returning to his home

Before being released and in addition to flipper tags and a PIT tag,  both Kera and Mr. Hyde had satellite transmitters placed on their carapace. This allows us to track their travels during the first few weeks of their return home. Check our website for more information if you would like to follow these turtles as well.

Kera ready to return home

The Turtle Trot race started off the day bright and early at 8:30am. The GSTC Education Staff was there with a booth about the center and some turtle specimens for participants and onlookers to enjoy. Scute, the GSTC mascot, made a guest appearance greeting the runners and families as they came off the beach. The turtles arrived on Tybee in the GSTC van around 9:30 am. As the race concluded, many of the runners and other participants gathered on the beach to see our turtles off. Mr. Hyde was released first, followed by Kera. In front of a large crowd, both turtles made their way into the water. As everyone watched, we could see them surface for air a few times while they swam further into the ocean.

Kelly and Elissa Educating the Public

It was exciting to see so many people come out for another successful release. Thank you to all who participated, and remember to check back for details on upcoming releases.

GSTC Staff at Tybee Turtle Trot Release

Sincerely,

Elissa Monahan and Heather McCarn

AmeriCorps Sea Turtle Night Patrol Members

PS Kera and Mr. Hyde will be eligible for adoption as Option #2 soon!  Keep an eye on the website!

That’s right!  Kera & Mr. Hyde, 2 juvenile loggerhead sea turtles afflicted by cold stunning during this past winter are going to be released!

KERA

MR. HYDE

First, a little background…..

Both Kera and Mr. Hyde (along with a 3rd turtle, Rostrum) were found in North Carolina.  All three (along with many others) were diagnosed as ‘cold stunned’. What is cold stunned you ask?  Since sea turtles are ectothermic (aka ‘cold blooded’), their body temperature adapts to their surrounding environment.  If it gets too cold, their body shuts down. Eventually they cannot move their flippers, which means they can’t dive, which means they can’t eat.  Essentially, they begin to freeze….think of it like a human who gets hypothermia.  Kera and Mr. Hyde were originally treated at the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center in Topsail, N.C., but because they were overrun by all the cold-stunned turtles and had run out of space, they asked if we could take a few off their hands.

Once they arrived at the GSTC, we proceeded to give them an exam to determine treatment.  Kera, short for ‘Keratin’, had a lot o keratin missing from her carapace (keratin makes up the scutes that cover her shell).  Mr. Hyde, on the other hand, defecated a pink balloon!  More proof that balloons and other trash pollution are harmful to sea turtles, as well as other marine life.

MR. HYDE

KERA

Both turtles received a final exam on Friday, April 16, 2010 and passed with flying colors!  Both also received a PIT tag, flipper tags and a satellite transmitter.  These transmitters (from Wildlife Computers) are different than the ones we typically use (from Telonics).  They are smaller and lighter, more suitable for smaller turtles like Kera and Mr. Hyde.  Battery power may not be as long, however.  We’ll just have to see how they do!

Now that you’ve been briefed, let’s get to the details of the release:

When: Saturday, April 24, 2010

Where: Tybee Island, GA (CLICK HERE for directions)

Time: following the end of the 5K run/walk; approximately 10am

*Please note that all releases are tentative and subject to change (date, time and/or location) in the best interest of the turtle(s).

This release is occurring in collaboration with the Tybee Island Marine Science Center.  Every year they host a 5K run/walk fundraiser called Turtle Trot.  Funds raised benefit the Tybee Island Sea Turtle Project.  Last year we released Blizzard, Snowball and Chilly Willy at this event, and it was a HUGE success!

We hope you will join us in saying goodbye to Kera and Mr. Hyde!

Sincerely,

Stefanie Ouellette

Marine Field Programs Coordinator

June 16 marked the 2 year anniversary of the Georgia Sea Turtle Centers grand opening!   This year, we celebrated in true sea turtle style with a week of fun filled activities!  All events were filled to capacity and we were bursting at the seams with guests ready to celebrate with us! Monday evening at the Center, Director and Veterinarian Dr. Terry Norton gave an update on the Centers progress the last 2 years and where we hope to go from here. Tuesdays Birds & Bees chat with Lydia Thompson and Jim Gertis was a huge success! Guests peeked into the nests of 2 not-very-well-known creatures: the honey bee and the Wilsons Plover.  Movie-goers at Wednesdays Finding Nemo were not only treated to a big-screen hit, but freshly popped popcorn to munch on during the flick. The thought of helping keep our beach clean and an ice cream treat drew a crowd for Thursday mornings Beachsweep. And who could resist our fun-loving mascot, Scute the Loggerhead Sea Turtle? A visit from Scute delighted the young and young-at-heart at an early morning breakfast served on the Center lawn. Scutes visit was followed by a tour of the Center-in our pajamas!  

Despite scorching temperatures, we guesstimated over 1000 visitors joined us for the Saturday finale party at the Beachdeck. Festival-goers were invited to partake in a number of activities on the upper deck. This year, we had the pleasure of hosting Naturalist Georgia Graves, Birding Enthusiast Brad Winn, our friends at Tidelands/4-H & the Coastal ARK- all with so much to share! Don’t know much about nesting on Jekyll Island? If you had the chance to check out the goings-on, consider yourself an expert!

Sea turtles & Diamondback Terrapins, sharks & snakes, the gopher tortoise & other burrow-dwelling animals, American Oystercatchers & Red Knots, horseshoe crabs & even live beach critters were all featured as part of the educational exhibits. It looks like children of ALL ages participated in the fun!

The lower deck gave way to an impromptu dance party with Island Sounds DJ, Justin. Three go-rounds of the Kid’s Turtle Crawl obstacle course throughout the day called to beach athletes itching for a little fun competition. And a festival would not be a festival without a feast! Teddy gave the grillside fare a thumbs up!

We topped off the day with the successful release of Simone & Duffy, two rehabilitated loggerhead sea turtle patients that arrived at the Center just a month apart. After almost one full year in the hospital recovering from illness & injury, the two were returned to their ocean home. Track their ocean adventures at www.georgiaseaturtlecenter.org.

A huge thanks to our tireless volunteers & staff, the Jekyll Island Authority and YOU! Thanks for making this event possible!

~ Kelly OKeefe, Educator

In honor of our two year anniversary in June, the Georgia Sea Turtle Center and Jekyll Island are celebrating with an entire week of fun-filled events!  Nest Fest 2009 festivities kick-off Monday, June 8^th and continue throughout the week with our finale party on Saturday, June 13^th. 

Join us Monday evening at the Georgia Sea Turtle Center for a discussion with Director and Veterinarian, Dr. Terry Norton. From 5:30-7:00 pm, hear about the Georgia Sea Turtle Center-Two Years Later and Beyond; what we’ve accomplished since opening our doors and how we’re forging ahead with future plans. Free with paid admission to the center. Reservations required. 

Come back Tuesday evening, same time, same place for Turtles Are Not the Only Nesters on Jekyll Island. Island resident beekeeper Jim Gertis will talk about the benefits of honey followed by Lydia Thompson, Chief Naturalist for Wild Birds Unlimited, and her focus on Jekyll’s nesting colony of Wilson’s Plovers.  Free with paid admission to the center. Reservations required. 

Bring the kids Wednesday evening from 7:00-9:00 for GSTC Movie Night featuring Finding Nemo. Don’t forget your favorite pillow and blanket for this under-the-sea flick! Free with paid admission to the center. Reservations required. 

Help us clean up Jekyll’s beach as sea turtle nesting season is underway! Meet at the Beackdeck at 10:00 am for a Beach Sweep. No need to register, just bring yourself! 

Enjoy Breakfast with Scute and Pajama Tour Thursday morning at 8:30-10 am. Bring the whole family for a catered breakfast on the lawn of the Georgia Sea Turtle Center and a visit from Scute, the Loggerhead Sea Turtle Mascot! All kids are encouraged to wear their pajamas for an early morning visit the sea turtles! $11 per person, includes breakfast and admission to the Center. Reservations required. 

For the grand finale, head to the Nest Fest Party at the Beachdeck on Saturday, June 13 for sun, sand and a sea turtle release! Join the Georgia Sea Turtle Center Staff and local organizations from 12-4pm for interactive educational activities, arts and crafts, and the Kid’s Turtle Crawl!

Check out www.jekyllisland.com/nestfest for complete event details, schedules and registration information!

~Kelly O’Keefe, Educator

Earth Day is celebrated on April 22^nd each calendar year, but The Georgia Sea Turtle Center celebrated a little early at the Jekyll Island Mother Nature Festival this past Saturday! Over 550 guests visited the Center and children of all ages participated in earth-friendly games and recycled crafts on the front lawn. Many popular crafts and activities from 2008 made repeat appearances including the Recycle Toss, Handmade paper, the Styrofoam Plate Press, Wearable Paper Bag Carapaces and a Recycled Journal decorating station.    

So what’s new? The Jekyll Island Garden Club gave seedlings a head start at the Sunflower Seed Planting Station and the more adventurous at heart created an edible cup filled with dirt, worms and top soil!

 (Actually chocolate pudding, gummy worms and oreo crumbles) 

Live animals wowed the crowd, including  Diamondback Terrapin hatchlings from the GSTC’s Conservation Project and a box turtle, corn snake and young alligator from the Jekyll 4-H Center! 

Of course, not all the fun was had by the younger crowd. A number of vendors and exhibitors showcased their eco-friendly products, services and crafts along the surrounding sidewalks.  A silent auction of nature-themed items donated by vendors and supporters gave the adults something to peruse. The 23 items helped raise nearly $1000 dollars for the Georgia Sea Turtle Center. We really appreciate your sea-port!

 And what would a festival be without food? Food for all was served consciously on biodegradable cups and plates including a vegetarian  grilled pineapple sandwich with cream cheese!

For the first time, Scute’s Scribblers made their debut among many earth inspiring feature items in the GSTC gift shop. At Shell-e-brate Earth Day 2008, the GSTC Education staff began collecting used and broken crayons donations from surrounding schools and restaurants.  One year later, 80 pounds of petroleum based unusable crayons have been given a second go-round as recycled sea turtle shaped crayons! Crayons are sold individually in eight different colors or in a 5 pack box that any child would love. Proceeds from this project go to support Scute’s Scholarship Fund, a program providing Georgia Sea Turtle Center field trip experiences for local schools.

And who is Scute, you ask? Why he’s the Georgia Sea Turtle Center’s Loggerhead Mascot! This was Scute’s first Earth Day festival and what a great time he had visiting with the young and young at heart. 

If you missed this year’s event, mark your calendar for April 2010. Keep checking our blog for upcoming event details for our next big event - Nest Fest 2009!

~Kelly O’Keefe, Educator

Jekyll Island is slowly coming back to life after a long, sleepy winter. If you’ve got Spring fever like we do, mark your calendar for Saturday, April 18 from 10am to 4pm.  You’ll want to join us for the Jekyll Island Mother Nature Festival at the Georgia Sea Turtle Center!

In 2008, the GSTC debuted it’s first annual Shell-e-brate Earth Day family festival. Over 550 people took part in the green shell-e-bration.  This year, it has blossomed into an island-wide event! Join us for a day of eco-fun and earth friendliness as we create recycled crafts like Styrofoam plate press animal art, make your own handmade paper, decorate a recycled sea turtle journal or color a wearable paper bag carapace. Taste a yummy dirt cup creation, visit with diamondback terrapin hatchlings and have your photo taken with Scute, the Loggerhead sea turtle mascot!  And be sure to visit our vendor expo featuring organizations with earth-friendly creations, products and services.

But who says that kids have to have all the fun? The week of April 13^th -17^th, the Georgia Sea Turtle Center will be hosting its Citizen Science Workshop & Lecture series.  Five guest speakers will present on topics ranging from honeybees & vermicomposting to organic gardening & cooking. Also, new for 2009 is our Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Regift silent auction! Gifted but never used nature-themed items will go home with the highest bidder the day of the event. All proceeds go to benefit continuing efforts of the Georgia Sea Turtle Center. Have something you’d like to donate? Click here to download the auction donation form.

Several outdoor excursions and activities will be taking place around Jekyll Island, including kite demonstrations, a fishing derby at Rixen pond, bicycle rentals, horseback riding and eco-tours with Captain Phillip. Check out www.jekyllisland.com/mothernaturefestival for a complete listing and excursion reservations.

Sea you there!

~Kelly O’Keefe, Educator

Scute

Hey Ya’ll!!! Have you ever had a question about sea turtles and wasn’t sure who you could ask? Well now you can email Scute any questions that you may have about sea turtles and he can tell you everything about them!!

On the Georgia Sea Turtle Center website we have a link under our KIDS PAGE that you can go to and directly email Scute. Or you can simply email him at scute@georgiaseaturtlecenter.org.  He would really love to hear from you!!!

~ Whitney Groth, Education Intern