Starting this Wednesday, Jekyll Island will be hosting the Southeast Regional Sea Turtle Meeting.  The event will hosts sea turtle researchers, patrol leaders, and animal care experts from all across the region.  Learn more at the conference website:  http://iconferences.seaturtle.org/serstm/

Stay tuned for a wrap up blog about the great meeting!

Terra-Tiger

If you’ve visited the GSTC recently, you may have had the opportunity to meet two of our newer patients: Terra-Tiger and Helio-Noel. Both of these juvenile green sea turtles came to the center in December after getting caught in dredging equipment off the coast of Jacksonville, Florida.  The more I talked about these two patients to guests, the more I realized that I knew very little about dredges and even less about their impacts on sea turtles. I did a little research on the topic and thought I would share my findings with GSTC blog followers who, like myself, might be interested in learning more about dredging and sea turtle safety.

To begin, a dredge is a machine that removes material from the sea floor. There are a couple of different types of dredges, and each is designed to accomplish a different task. Terra-Tiger and Helio-Noel encountered the dredge MV Terrapin Island, a trailing suction hopper dredge. This dredge type drags a suction apparatus that acts like a vacuum to pull up material from the seabed. Since sea turtles spend a lot of their time resting or foraging on the ocean floor, they are fairly vulnerable to being pulled into hopper dredge devices.

Dredges can do a wide variety of things, and in fact provide many services that are critical to the operation of other industries. They are perhaps best known for carving out the channels used by shipping and recreational vessels, however dredges can also be used for fishing, mining, beach renourishment, and pollution clean-up.

In the United States, dredging projects are managed and regulated by the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE).  In order to minimize the negative impacts dredging may have on sea turtles, USACE has undertaken multiple studies to assess the consequences of dredging.  These have ranged from collecting abundance data in areas slated for dredging activity to testing methods that disperse or remove turtles before dredging projects begin. All of these efforts have resulted in USACE developing a series of protocols and equipment designed to lessen the threats that dredges pose to sea turtles.  Some of the practices developed to protect turtles from incidental take include:

• Restricting dredging activities to certain environmental windows: sea turtles aren’t typically found in water colder than 12 °C (about 54°F), so dredging projects often take place during the colder months of the year (December-March).

• Using exclusion equipment to prevent sea turtles from getting caught in dredges: the proper use of deflectors on dredging equipment has been shown to drastically reduce sea turtle entrapment.

• Dispersing or relocating sea turtles prior to dredging:  a variety of methods have been employed to remove turtles from dredge sites, including the use of trawl nets to capture and relocate turtles inhabiting the dredge pathway. Not all methods of dispersal have been found to be particularly effective, and many may not be used due to the high financial costs they entail.

• Implementing a monitoring program to keep track of incidental take of sea turtles: many dredging vessels are required to have a National Marine Fisheries Service-approved monitor on-board to examine dredge equipment and dredged materials for entrapped sea turtles. This is how Terra-Tiger and Helio-Noel were found and brought to the GSTC.

After getting pulled through a dredge, turtles may have a variety of injuries. Terra-Tiger arrived with internal bruising, some carapace abrasions and a fracture, as well as swelling in the eyes and neck. The turtle was also pretty lethargic and in shock, which is not surprising considering the extent of its injuries. As treatment, Terra-Tiger received fluid therapy for hydration and wound cleaning and debridement. Terra-Tiger continues to receive iron supplements to help combat anemia, as well as a variety of oral medications to head off infection.

Helio-Noel

Helio-Noel came to the GSTC about 10 days after Terra-Tiger and also had a serious array of injuries. These included multiple fractures to the carapace and plastron, as well as skin and shell abrasions.  In addition to cleaning and debridement, Helio-Noel’s early treatment involved the use of a WoundVAC, a device which uses negative pressure to create an environment that promotes wound healing.  These tough turtles still have a long road to release, but have many well-wishers rooting for their speedy recovery; several employees from the MV Terrapin Island have either called or stopped by the center to check up on their turtle friends!

There is a lot more information about dredging and sea turtles available online, and if you’re interested in learning more I encourage you to check out the following resources:

USACE Sea Turtle Data Warehouse:  http://el.erdc.usace.army.mil/seaturtles/

Historical review of dredging impacts and sea turtle protection: http://el.erdc.usace.army.mil/seaturtles/docs/2004WODCON-Dickerson.pdf

Presentation about the impacts of dredging on sea turtles: http://water.epa.gov/type/oceb/oceandumping/dredgedmaterial/upload/2009_08_27_oceans_ndt_about_15_get-science-right-dickerson.pdf

Sadie Mills

GSTC AmeriCorps Education Member

There’s nothing better than setting out on a new adventure and jumping in feet first…  My name is Kira Stearns and I am the new Educator at the GSTC.  I moved from southeastern Minnesota where I spent the previous 3 years as a classroom life science teacher in Middle and High School.  I also had the opportunity to work with bald eagles at the National Eagle Center on the Mississippi River, which has ultimate drawn me back to animals, rehabilitation, and conservation education.  Feel free to read more about my background and what drew me to the Georgia Sea Turtle Center.  I joined the Education team in October just before the fall event, Turtleween and have since taken on the responsibilities of Special Events, Adopt-a-Sea Turtle, and in house programming.  This time of year is busy for all with a variety of holiday themed activities; and the GSTC is no different.  Beginning with Thanksgiving, the education team has been actively involved in 6 very unique holiday themed events of all sizes at the center, on Jekyll Island, and offsite.

The Holiday season began with a weekend filled with activities and events.  On Thanksgiving Day, the “Thankful Turtles” craft encouraged our guests to reflect and decorate a turtle with things they were thankful for this season.  Although the center was open for only a few short hours that day, guests enjoyed the little extra something to take with them.  As a staff, we even took a few moments for some holiday humor.

The day after Thanksgiving, while most were probably out for the biggest shopping day of the year, Nicole (one of our AmeriCorps Members) and I ventured off to Sapelo Island for a very special birthday gift.  The Lawrence family welcomed us with open arms that day to share our turtle knowledge in celebration of Nanny’s 85^th birthday.  It was while on Sapelo Island, I experienced one of what will be many firsts now living in the south of deep fried turkey.  I have to say, moving from the turkey capitol of world, that it was quite tasty!  We shared much of our turtle knowledge, but were also treated to anecdotes and memories of Nanny’s days living on Hilton Head Island as well.  The family even invited us to join in the family football game.  Although we weren’t able to stay they made sure that showed us their unique touchdown dances.  What a fantastic family and a memorable day!

The Thanksgiving weekend culminated with the annual Jekyll Island Authority’s Tree Lighting Festival outside the Club Hotel with activities, scrumptious food, music, and of course the important figure of the season, Santa.  In sea turtle holiday fashion, the GSTC offered “Turtle Wreefs” for visitors to decorate and take with them to hang on their tree or anywhere else that needed a little festive décor.  The Tree Lighting Festival gave the education staff a chance to take in the festive atmosphere, but also to converse about sea turtles and their significance to Jekyll Island.

After welcoming in the holiday season with a busy Thanksgiving weekend, December continued in its own festive fashion.  On December 6^th the Georgia Sea Turtle Center welcomed Santa’s Special Sleigh, a group of elementary students who must earn their seat by reading.  The students and teachers came from Unidos Dual Language Charter School in Forrest Park, GA, where students learn in both English and Spanish.  It was such a treat to listen and talk with the kids about the school.  I was fascinated by the interaction between the students and teachers in both languages after having studied Spanish myself for many years.  The kids were excited, many where on their very first flight, to see the center and the turtle patients.  The education staff joined them for lunch and just in time for Santa.  We even brought along our special friend, Scute!  The kids had a fun visit complete with gifts from Santa and we were blessed with great memories too.  I was so glad to be a part of such a rewarding gift of the visit the kids had to the Georgia Sea Turtle Center.

The GSTC also hosted two more holiday events on December 10^th and 17^th.  First of the two was the Jekyll Island Authority Employee Children’s party that featured our acclaimed puppet show, “Scute’s Christmas Adventure”, a visit to our turtle hospital, a holiday craft, treats and of course a visit from Santa and Scute!  The kids had a great time and enjoyed sharing their wishes with Santa.  The following Saturday, Santa visited once again for Santa & the Sea Turtles for more holiday crafts, programs, stories, and wishes.  “Scute’s Christmas Adventure” returned along with a special rendition of the well-known story, “’Twas the Night Before Christmas” that featured our sea turtle patients.  Guests had the opportunity to create Holiday cards for our turtles and to tuck them into each turtle’s stocking as well as making a holiday turtle ornament.  Many of our guests were decked out in their best holiday fashion to meet with Santa for pictures and to be sure Santa knew just what they wanted this year.  We hope Santa will grant everyone’s holiday wishes this year as many of our staff take some time to visit with their families and take some time to rest up so we will be ready to make 2012 another Turtley Awesome year!

Wishing everyone a safe and Happy Holiday season!

~Kira Stearns, Educator

Atlantic Southeast Airlines

By Cynthia Milner, rewards & recognition

The holiday season is always a special time filled with traditions. One of those traditions at Atlantic Southeast is Santa’s Special Sleigh, which takes the students of Hendrix Drive Elementary School in Forrest Park, Ga. on the field trip of a lifetime aboard one of our CRJ200 jets. Each year, the students who excel in the school’s reading program are rewarded with a spot on the trip and we visit a different city with a unique, educational venue.

This year’s trip was to the Georgia Sea Turtle Center on Jekyll Island, Ga. The trip marked the first time that many of the kids had been on an airplane, but any nervous feelings about flying quickly turned to excitement when they saw the cabin decked out with holiday cheer. Once we were in the air for the quick 35-minute flight, the students snacked on holiday goodies and sang carols, and we arrived at the Brunswick Golden Isles Airport in what seemed like just a few minutes.

Once at the airport, our great Brunswick Airport Customer Service team helped everyone off the plane and to the bus that would take us to the Sea Turtle Center. Some of our Airport Customer Service team members even came along to visit the turtles. Even as an adult, I have to say that the Georgia Sea Turtle Center is a cool place. We saw all types of turtles: big, small, old and young. The team at the Center is compassionate about their work, and you can tell that these turtles hold a special place in their heart. I think it’s safe to say that the kids most enjoyed the room that housed more than 10 turtles who were visiting the Center for rehabilitation.

After our time with the turtles, we headed out to lunch and a visit with Santa Claus before flying back home to Atlanta. All in all, it was another fun journey with the Hendrix Drive Students, and we look forward to keeping up this special holiday tradition.

Shared by Kira Stearns (GSTC Educator)

One of our GSTC family has been nominated for a very special award! Gary Buckles has been nominated for the International Sea Turtle Society’s Ed Drane Award for Volunteerism.

The Ed Drane Award for Volunteerism was established in memory of Ed Drane who was Treasurer of the ISTS for more than 20 years. His passion for the sea turtles and his commitment to the ISTS and its international mission were both energizing and inspiring. This award will be presented to a person who is working outside their professional life who voluntarily commits a significant portion of their time, energy, and passion to the conservation of sea turtles.  They do not seek academic or monetary credit for their efforts but they make a significant contribution to the study and conservation of sea turtles.

Gary Buckles has been an integral part of the Georgia Sea Turtle Center’s Program since the center opened in 2007. Gary started as a volunteer working on our night patrol program assisting the staff and interns with our saturation tagging program. Starting in the fall of 2007, Gary started volunteering with our rehabilitation and education programs as well. Gary is extremely dedicated to his volunteer service here at the GSTC. He frequently works 10-12 hour days, multiple times a week with our veterinary staff.  He is known to be here before the staff even arrives in the morning in order to get things started for the day. He happily takes on the tasks considered monotonous or less than thrilling with vigor. Whether it’s cleaning tanks or doing immense amounts of laundry, we know that Gary will be the one of the ones to step up and get it done.

When the GSTC started collaborating with the St. Kitts Sea Turtle Monitoring Network in 2008, Gary was one of the original volunteers to go. Since then he has expanded his role with the program both at the GSTC and in St. Kitts. He now participates in training volunteers and staff that are going for the first time before he leaves and spends several weeks in country assisting Dr. Kimberly Stewart. The center is always sad when we don’t have him with us for several weeks, but it is a source of great pride that he is doing so much to fulfill the missions of both organizations.

From the biggest tasks of driving turtles to Florida or spending months abroad working on international initiatives, to the smallest details of folding laundry and bringing cookies to the staff twice a week to boost morale, Gary has proven that he isn’t just a volunteer. He is a critical part of the GSTC infrastructure and we would not be able to accomplish our mission without him.

The staff of the GSTC is very proud of this accomplishment and would like you all to join us in congratulating Gary!

Do you know someone that would you like to be the proud parent of an ‘adopted’ sea turtle? With your $50 donation, you can contribute funding to support Georgia Sea Turtle Center patients! Choose a current patient in our sea turtle hospital and follow their journey from hospital to sea. The donation helps offset operating costs such as medication and food for in-house patients as well as supports research we are conducting to help sea turtles all over the world!

Or perhaps you know an individual or a family that just LOVES the GSTC.  Why not give them a GSTC membership to help them visit us year round?  Maybe they will even invite YOU to go along with them!

Are you looking for a gift for your youngest sea turtle enthusiast?  Why not sign them up for Sea Turtle Camp? We invite children ages 6 to 12 to join us for the ultimate camp experience as junior conservationists! Come be a part of this groundbreaking program with fun-in-the-sun activities, sand adventures and unforgettable sea turtles!

Still not convinced?  Wait to you see all the turtle-rific items available through our on-line store!  Coming soon – we hope to launch it early next week.

For more information about any of these gift giving options, please visit our website at www.georgiaseaturtlecenter.org or call us at 912-635-4444.

SEA-sons Greetings!

~Alicia B. Marin, Education Coordinator

The Lawrence family treated “Nanny” Lawrenceto the weekend of her life for her 85^th birthday. Nanny has been an active sea turtle conservationist for years, taking her children and grandchildren on turtle patrol walks and getting involved with the sea turtle programs on Hilton Head Island inSouth Carolina.

For Nanny’s 85^th birthday, theLawrence family wanted to celebrate with a very special and memorable trip. Heading toSapeloIsland for a weekend getaway at the beautifulReynoldsMansion, the family invited the Georgia Sea Turtle Center to join them for an afternoon of education, fried turkey, spectacular beaches, and friendly family football.

Taking the quick 20-minute ferry over to Sapelo, Kira, our new educator, and I took specimens, a sea turtle costume, and Cory the Leatherback to the majestic mansion. We surprised Nanny with a hybrid of our GSTC educational programs. The excitement on Nanny’s face was priceless! After spending time answering Nanny’s questions, we sat down to a lovely lunch, learning about Nanny’s beautiful family and getting to know them all individually. Nanny has so much love for sea turtles, but her love for her family is so enormous, it warms your heart. It was easy to see why the family wanted to do something extra special for Nanny’s 85^th birthday.

So the next time you are looking for a great gift for your turtle enthusiast, consider spending a day with all of us at the Georgia Sea Turtle Center. There is nothing we love more than to meet other turtle enthusiasts like ourselves, supporting the efforts of conservation programs all over the world.

“Crunch” was the sound I heard as the first wheel left the board walk and dug its way deep into the sand. I should have known this was as far as my trusted wheelchair would take me. Sand is high on my list of most challenging terrains to traverse—it’s up there with steps and gravel. About 50ft in front of me, I saw a crowd of over 200 people lining up near the surf anxiously awaiting the arrival of the Georgia Sea Turtle Center staff with several sea turtles that were scheduled to be released that day. Since I started working at the center only a few days ago, this was my first turtle release so I was equally excited and did not know what to expect. One thing was sure, if I was going to be a part of this experience I would have to get much closer!

Before I had time to concoct a plan, Mike – one of the many amazing AmeriCorps members working at the center – spotted me in the distance, came over, scooped me up, and carried me past everyone down to the release area. Once there, he sat me down in the sand in the middle of the roped-off square!

Okay, at first I was a bit shy sitting ‘front and center’ as people stared at me. The crowd looked at me expectantly, probably wondering if I was going to make an announcement!  Within seconds my shyness faded, however, as I was overcome with excitement seeing the GSTC staff (the Teal-Team) approaching with the first turtle to be released.

It was magical to see the awe and happiness in the faces of children and adults alike as Dr. Terry Norton and his team carried Phantom near the water’s edge. For several minutes, that loggerhead sat motionless staring out onto the ocean. Holding my breath in suspense, I looked around as everyone’s eyes were fixed on Dr. Norton, who was now standing next to his turtle splashing him encouragingly with water. Perhaps Phantom was reflecting back on the last two years he had spent at the GSTC, or perhaps he was taking the time to say goodbye and thank you for his excellent care. The team gave him a little nudge into the water and in just seconds he disappeared into the waves leaving behind a cheering crowd.

It was not until later that summer that I fully understood just how much care, time, love, and dedication goes into rehabilitating these gentle creatures, who ultimately disappear into the distance in the blink of an eye!

That day, watching five turtles return to the ocean, the excitement and support of the public, and witnessing the compassion of the dedicated staff, I suddenly felt like I was becoming part of a greater cause.  In just a few moments I was compelled to become an advocate for these magnificent animals. Also, being swooped up and carried across the sand that morning, I realized that sand would not be a barrier to my Jekyll adventures this summer!

My initial interest in working at the GSTC actually came from my interest in birds! I was a second year veterinary student at the University of Georgia and heard from a fellow vet student that Dr. Norton heads the GA SEANET program, which is dedicated to studying GA’s marine bird populations. The opportunity to learn about GA’s coastal birds and, at the same time, being immersed in the rehabilitation and conservation of sea turtles sounded like a dream come true!

Did I have initial hesitations about traversing Jekyll’s sandy beaches and working with 200lb patients? Sure! But as it turns out the biggest obstacle is not sand or steps, but having an “I can’t” attitude.

As the staff at the GSTC continuously showed me this past summer, for sand and steps there are simple solutions!

A ramp was added, a doorframe was widened, and bingo: 510 Maurice Road was ready for me to call it home for the summer. Most AmeriCorps members and veterinary externs live on the south end of Jekyll Island in student houses, and I was happy to join the family.

I will never forget briefly mentioning – early in the summer – that I really wanted to see a nesting sea turtle. Later that same night I heard “Sarah! Hurry! Turtle! Turtle!” as Greg, one of the AmeriCorps members, bursts into the student house.  He came to pick me up and we immediately headed for the beach. Before I knew it Corey was carting me across the sand in the dark at record speeds, with the moon as our trusted flashlight. I witnessed in awe as a huge loggerhead carefully covered her nest and slowly crawled back to the ocean. Stunned by her determination and calmness, I watched her carry out the behaviors that her species had been programmed with for centuries. Catching a rare glimpse of this unique ritual, I realized the responsibility we shared of becoming ambassadors and protecting these beautiful creatures.

I also remember the time I mentioned to my roommate Bre that I wanted to see a sunrise. The next weekend we crawled out of bed before dawn, and once again (to the dismay of my very sandy chair) I was whirled across the sand.  We witnessed not only a breathtaking sunrise but in passing one of the loggerhead nests, a hatchling was just making its way to the ocean trying to escape a swarm of fire ants! It was amazing to witness the herculean effort and determination of this tiny instinct-driven sea turtle.

At the GSTC, I loved being immediately integrated into the Teal-Team; I thoroughly enjoyed helping with the medical treatments and husbandry of patients. When it came to the 200lb patients, turns out, I wasn’t expected to lift them by myself! Allegedly, no one except for wildlife hero, Dr.Terry Norton, has ever performed such a feat anyways.  In fact, the whole center operates through teamwork. Everybody helps each other, contributing their strengths with the common goal of doing what is best for the turtles. The teamwork I was able to be a part of was eye opening and inspiring, and I hope to mirror this in my own practice one day.

I quickly discovered that no single day was the same at the center. One minute we were in the middle of ‘routine’ medical treatments and one phone call later a stranded sea turtle was on its way to the center requiring emergency surgery.  Despite high patient caseloads, and long working days, I was continuously astonished at the tireless efforts of the staff and their heart-felt dedication to the animals. These attitudes were truly infectious and I soon found myself completely submerged in all things related to turtle-care.

One patient that stood out to me was a loggerhead named Lucy. She, like many sea turtles, was victim to a boat strike and had severe cuts in her carapace where the propeller hit her shell. The wounds were deep and ridden with leeches and debris from washing up on the shore.  It was no easy sight for this new member of the Teal-Team, unaccustomed to seeing the devastating destruction boats can inflict. Every few days, Lucy was brought into the treatment room for over an hour of wound care. Little by little, debris was carefully picked out of her wounds, followed by rinsing the tissues with copious amounts of antiseptic solution. Her shell was scrubbed with gauze and scraped free of barnacles a little more each day. While several sets of hands were busy tending to Lucy’s wounds, others were busy simply trying to keep this gentle giant on the treatment table, while still others were drawing up her medications and administering her fluids. Pretty soon, Lucy treatments became well-choreographed routines of teamwork and patience.  She was a fighter. Her spirit and determination immediately won our hearts. Before returning her to the tank, her wound was packed with honey and the loose part of her carapace, separated from the rest of the shell by a deep cut, was secured with a stretchy bandage that Dr. Norton created from an athletic compression bandage used in human medicine. Sometimes veterinary medicine, especially turtle medicine, requires ingenuity and creativity!

Injuries that cut into the carapace, like Lucy’s, are at risk for damaging the spinal cord as the spine is fused with the top shell. A spinal cord injury was suspected in Lucy’s case not only due to the severity of her injury but also because she could not move her back flippers.

One afternoon, Lucy was loaded into the GSTC van, and took a little trip to a medical center in Brunswick, where a CT scan was performed to investigate the extent of her injury and spinal cord involvement. That day, and throughout the summer, I often witnessed human physicians and medical staff volunteering their efforts to help care for sea turtle patients.  How inspiring, to see experts of many diverse fields collaborating for such a great cause!

Arriving at the center, it was very unexpected to see a brave loggerhead wheeling through the hallways on a gurney toward the CT machine, which was used on human patients earlier that day. Teal-team members clad in lead aprons, kept Lucy comfortable and safe in the donut-shaped imaging device; the other half sought refuge in the control room with Dr. Norton and anxiously awaited his assessment of the scan.

The scan was able to recreate a 3D image of her spinal column, allowing Dr. Norton to evaluate the damage from all angles. Unfortunately, as suspected, the propeller had obliterated several vertebrae and, most likely, the delicate spinal cord housed within it. It was with a heavy heart that we learned, Lucy would have to be humanely euthanized. While it was heartbreaking news, to have to say good-bye to such an inspirational patient, Lucy left behind a meaningful legacy. Not only did she educate everyone visiting the GSTC during her stay there, but her story was also later featured in a newspaper article and on a television program reaching an audience well beyond Jekyll Island. Lucy served as an ambassador, raising awareness and educating the public about one of the many dangers threatening the health of sea turtles today.

Her legacy would also live on in another way. A few weeks after we said goodbye to Lucy, dawn patrol reported some very exciting news. A nest that Lucy had laid just weeks before getting injured had successfully hatched! It was heartwarming to imagine that as many as 100 little loggerheads now embarked on their ocean adventure armed with Lucy’s spirit and determination.

Lucy’s story touched my heart that summer and I am grateful for the opportunity of getting to work with her.

When I wasn’t helping out with treatments and husbandry, or observing a surgery, I devoted time to my SEANET project. The GA SEANET (Seabird Environmental Assessment Network) program focuses on the causes of mortality and disease affecting GA’s marine bird populations. Programs such as this are instrumental in painting a picture of environmental and wildlife health and providing a means to monitor it. GSTC staff, interns, and volunteers patrol the beaches and bring any dead birds to the GSTC for further investigation by Dr. Norton and veterinary students.

My role this summer was to perform necropsies on these birds and prepare tissue samples to bring back to UGA for microscopic evaluation (or histopathology) at SCWDS (Southeastern Cooperate Wildlife Disease Studies). I felt like a detective, closely inspecting these birds, trying to find any clues as to what may have happened to them. Sometimes I found obvious injuries such as broken bones, but other times my findings were rather inconclusive and histopathology will hopefully help shed light on these cases.

One of the things I love about birds is their unique anatomy, and specialized adaptations. This project was a great chance for me to appreciate the comparative anatomy of many different bird species such as pelicans, gulls, and raptors—each with slight differences depending on their diet, behavior and environment.

While nothing is more satisfying and heartwarming for me than the successful rehabilitation and medical treatment of animals, this project opened my eyes to the critical information we can gain from performing necropsies on deceased animals. Compiling necropsy findings and the continued surveillance of shorebirds may make us aware of disease trends, the health of our ecosystem, and the extent of human impact on wildlife.

Looking back on my time at the Georgia Sea Turtle Center, I picked up many golden nuggets along the way. Among these, I will never forget how a sea turtle’s heartbeat sounds just like the ocean. I also leave Jekyll having learned that honey is not just for bears – or peanut butter sandwiches – but it is, in fact, nature’s miracle for wound care!

The adventurous spirit of the GSTC Teal-Team, solidified a simple rule of thumb for me: forget “I can’t”. Instead: boldly go for opportunities when they present themselves! With passion and determination, the currency of magic, no obstacle (not even sand!) can get between you and the things that make you come alive.

The Georgia Sea Turtle Center staff and Caton celebrated Thanksgiving Day. The Center, open 10AM-2PM to the public, was in a festive mood.

Since starting at the Georgia Sea Turtle Center two months ago, I’ve come into contact with Squall, an adult Loggerhead female, who lost most of her front right flipper during a shark attack earlier in the summer. She defied the odds to survive her initial attack, a testament to the pure strength and determination of these animals. But while sharing her story of survival to the public many people automatically reply with “Well she OBVIOUSLY can’t be returned to the wild, so what’s going to happen to her?” Every time I heard this response it made me wonder why we didn’t cheer for the underdog with our patients. Many people are very surprised to hear that we can and have released turtles with amputations in the past. As long as they can dive for food, surface to breathe, hunt live prey, and swim normally with their remaining limbs, there is no reason why we can’t release them back to their home in the ocean.

Squall met those conditions and was returned to the ocean in a joint release effort with another amputee Loggerhead from Virginia. The other amputee turtle was an adult male Loggerhead by the name of Big Boy 25 who had gotten entangled in debris from an old crabbing pot off the coast of Virginia. He was rehabilitated and treated by the Virginia Aquarium Stranding Response Team, an agency that I also have a personal connection too. They were the organization that first trained me to work with stranded sea turtles and marine mammals when I first interned with the US Fish and Wildlife Service. Squall was released on October 17^th from Amelia Island, Florida, while Big Boy 25 was released October 18^th from Croatan Beach in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Both of these turtles carry satellite transponders and are able to be tracked on www.seaturtle.org. There, maps of both turtles show them moving at a steady rate farther south to warmer waters and a new beginning.

This is a true testament to the pure strength and will to survive these animals have. They overcome great odds just to make it to adulthood, with only 1 in 4000 hatchlings making it to that life stage. If Squall and Big Boy 25 have made it this far, there is no predicting just how far they are able to go. Underdog stories are not strictly for the cinemas, they’re also for our survivors.

Squall returning back to the sea. (Photo by Americorps member David Keeler.)