Sayonara

There’s no question that our year-round staff of about fifty hospital volunteers is as dedicated and hard working as they come. But dedication doesn’t stop the calendar, and although the hearts are still willing the bodies are slowing down a bit. That’s why we’re always happy when Jean delivers a fresh crop of . . . → Read More: Sayonara]]> Sea Turtle Hospital News

Sayonara

There’s no question that our year-round staff of about fifty hospital volunteers is as dedicated and hard working as they come. But dedication doesn’t stop the calendar, and although the hearts are still willing the bodies are slowing down a bit. That’s why we’re always happy when Jean delivers a fresh crop of interns to (literally) lighten our loads. Now one of our favorite winter interns is leaving us for a new life half-way around the world.

Wyatt Allen arrived in early January after graduating from Wake Forest University. He applied for our internship because it gave him “a chance to live out my childhood dream before making a commitment to employment or further education.” With a BS in Biology and minors in Chemistry and Japanese he had a few options for his future, but in the end it was his love of the Japanese language and culture that began in high school and continued throughout college (including time as a student at the Temple University Tokyo campus) that won out.

Photo: “Monroe” and Wyatt spend discuss the merits of an all-fish diet.

We all know how difficult it is to get your first real job out of college, but Wyatt had to dance hard and fast to best the enormous number of applicants vying for the relatively small number of positions available through CLAIR (the Council of Local Authorities for International Relations) which is part of the Japanese National Government. The application process evaluates overall education, interest in Japan, Japanese language ability, special skills, previous work experiences and the desire to improve relations between the US and Japan. After passing the application process he was interviewed at the consulate in Washington DC, with a portion of his interview, which included teacher-student role-playing, conducted in Japanese. Several weeks ago Wyatt was notified that he got the job, and we couldn’t have been prouder of him than if he were our own child!

Wyatt won’t find out until June exactly where he’ll be assigned, as the individual boards of education inform CLAIR of openings/desires for English speaking teaching assistants. Specifics of the position will be determined after he arrives in Japan in late summer. At the moment he expects that he will be team teaching (with a Japanese born English teacher) writing, grammar and some conversational acquisition to Japanese students in grades 1-12. There’s also the possibility of adult education through a community program known as Eikaiwa: (ei= English) (kaiwa=conversation.)

Wyatt notes that Japan has three written alphabets, Hiragana and Katakana which he can read and write with ease, and Kanji (the Chinese characters) used in script that are a bit more challenging. At his “peak” several years ago he says that he could read and write about 1,100 of them. Our mastery of Japanese at the turtle hospital is limited to ordering sushi, so we’re pretty useless in keeping the conversation going beyond that. Wyatt is, we have no doubt, devoting most of his limited spare time to working hard every day to polish those skills.

When he finally departs for Japan he’ll literally be taking basically the clothes on his back (with his special orange hat) and a camera. Shipping costs are prohibitive, so he’ll buy what he needs once he moves into an apartment. He expects his biggest challenge to be adjusting to the staples of the Japanese diet, seafood and pork, and learning how to cook them in traditional methods. He could be in Japan for as long as five years (a one-year contract renewable annually, based on the progress of his students) so he’ll have lots of time to master the art.

When I asked what I thought would be a trick question; “How will this be different than taking care of sea turtles?” he turned the tables on me. He said: “Taking care of sea turtles and helping to educate children are not terribly different at the fundamental level. Both require a lot of patience and set routines to ensure that the children/turtles are comfortable in their environment so that you can cater to their needs without adding stress. Both love to eat, and occasionally make messes, too.” Wyatt says that he’s  thoroughly enjoyed his time at the hospital and “would love to carry my problem solving skills and patience that I have developed though working with the turtles with me to Japan so that I can pour as much passion into the school as I do into the hospital.” Now you know why we’ll miss him.

Nesting season’s here…

The official start of nesting season (May 1^st) has come and gone, but mama sea turtles are famous for their complete and total disregard of our calendar.  They’ll come when they’re good and ready, and that could be as early as this week or sometime towards the end of the month. But now that our Topsail Turtle Project team has hit the beach running when they do show up their efforts won’t go unnoticed as their nests are verified, marked and monitored.

Please report any and all local sea turtle activity (nestings, strandings, injured or sick turtles) immediately to our Director of Beach Operations, Terry Meyer at 910-470-2880. Terry can be reached at: topsailseaturtle@aol.com for non-emergencies. You can also call our Director, Jean Beasley (910-470-2800) or the hospital (910-328-3377) to report activity if you are unable to reach of Terry. All sea turtles are federally protected and harassing or harming them in any way will result in hefty fines and/or imprisonment.

Gift shop business booming

Activity really increased last week at our gift shop with early arrivals stopping by the hospital wanting to add our exclusive turtle-wear as part of their spring wardrobe. You can visit our gift shop annex every Tuesday until further notice. Just knock on our hospital door between 9 AM and 11 AM and tell us you’re there to shop. Preview some of the items we have available online at our website before you come and remember, we can only accept cash and checks at this time. You can also shop for our logo T’s year-round at QuarterMoon Bookstore in Topsail Beach. Thanks, Lori.

Of course you can use our online ordering service at your convenience because our website never closes: www.seaturtlehospital.org. Stay connected with our patients and the progress of the new hospital. We’re stocked with clothing and other gifts and goodies perfect for turtle lovers. Follow the links to “Adopt-A-Sea-Turtle,” we have some pretty high maintenance patients who need all the financial and moral support you can provide. There’s still time to add your family’s name to our wall of fame with the “Family Giving Challenge.”

Questions, comments, suggestions??

Please direct any questions, comments or suggestions re: this column to me at: flippers@att.net. To be added to the newsletter list e-mail me at the same address: flippers@att.net. If your e-mail address has recently changed please send me your new one so I can update my master list. You can also access the newsletter from our website.

Special delivery

I’ve said many times that you never really know what to expect from your day when you walk through the door at our hospital. The only constant is, it’s never boring. Over the years we’ve had sea turtles of many kinds and sizes, with countless types of medical conditions brought to us . . . → Read More: Special delivery]]> Sea Turtle Hospital News

Special delivery

I’ve said many times that you never really know what to expect from your day when you walk through the door at our hospital. The only constant is, it’s never boring. Over the years we’ve had sea turtles of many kinds and sizes, with countless types of medical conditions brought to us for treatment and rehabilitation. But we’ve never seen anything quite like the critter that showed up a few Tuesdays ago.

Our work was just about completed for the day and Ginger (one of the Tuesday crew) and I were patiently refilling Bear’s tank with clean water, gazing out the garage door windows, when a car began backing into our driveway. Normally visitors will pull into the driveway trying to read the sign, hoping that we’re open. Anytime a vehicle backs up it’s usually got a sick or injured sea turtle somewhere inside. Since we hadn’t received any call about incoming wounded we headed outside to disappoint what we suspected would be yet another carload of tourists hoping for a tour of our hospital. Boy, were we wrong!

Photo: Jill Caldwell arrives at our hospital with her “rescue turtle.”

Out of the car popped a very lively lady, obviously excited about something. She was extremely happy that somebody was still around because she had “Something that I hope you’re really going to want.”  Popping the hatch on her car she stood to the side and gestured with a “ta-da” motion. Ginger and I burst into laughter. Staring us in the face was the biggest fiberglass sea turtle we had ever seen. And, just like most of our turtles, this guy arrived injured.

This lovely lady turned out to be Jill Caldwell, a teacher from Wilmington. She had recently returned from a trip to Charleston where she was visiting her son at college. Somewhere in her travels around that city she spied this treasure. It had been tossed out in the trash, probably because the flipper had broken off. She immediately thought of our hospital and figured (correctly) that we might want to give this poor, wounded creature a chance at a better life. Props to Jill for managing to get this thing (including the broken flipper piece) into a hatchback, giving up precious cargo space, and hauling it a few hundred miles to Topsail Beach.

I asked Jill what she would have done if nobody had been around. She sheepishly answered, “Probably unload it and take off.” Honestly, that would have been my plan, too. When the laughter died down we thanked Jill and had our two winter interns (Wyatt and Alastair) assist with the “rescue,” relocating our new “patient” to a safe place.

The timing of this rescued turtle was especially fortuitous because Jean (our hospital Director) called shortly after it arrived, venting a bit about a very frustrating morning where just about everything seemed to go wrong. I suggested that we had just the cure for her, telling her only that it was guaranteed to put a smile on her face. She couldn’t stand the mystery so she headed down to see what could possibly salvage her day. A big smile, and then she immediately began thinking about how we could rehab this guy, and where he would be displayed at our new hospital.

So now we need your help. We’re looking for a fiberglass wizard who can repair the flipper by reattaching the piece that broke off. And we need an artist willing to give our critter a makeover, a complete sea turtle “fluff and buff.” Anyone willing to donate their time and talent to this project should contact Jean (loggerhead@aol.com or 910-470-2800) for further information.

To Jill: lots of giant flipper hugs from the staff and patients at the Sea Turtle Hospital!

Nesting season begins May 1st

Our Topsail Turtle Project team is ready to hit the beach in a few weeks. Nesting season officially begins May 1^st and runs through the end of August. If you missed the training but are interested in signing on as a sub, or you’d like more information on the program e-mail Terry at: topsailseaturtle@aol.com.

Please report any and all local sea turtle activity (nestings, strandings, injured or sick turtles) immediately to our Director of Beach Operations, Terry Meyer at 910-470-2880. Terry can be reached at: topsailseaturtle@aol.com for non-emergencies. All sea turtles are federally protected and harassing or harming them in any way will result in hefty fines and/or imprisonment.

Gift shop business booming

It’s pretty clear from the increase in activity at our gift shop that people are including our exclusive turtle-wear as part of their spring wardrobe. You can visit our gift shop annex every Tuesday until further notice. Just knock on our hospital door between 9 AM and 11 AM and tell us you’re there to shop. Preview some of the items we have available online at our website before you come and remember, we can only accept cash and checks at this time. You can also shop for our logo T’s year-round at QuarterMoon Bookstore in Topsail Beach. Thanks, Lori.

Of course you can use our online ordering service at your convenience because our website never closes: www.seaturtlehospital.org. Stay connected with our patients and the progress of the new hospital. We’re stocked with clothing and other gifts and goodies perfect for turtle lovers. Follow the links to “Adopt-A-Sea-Turtle,” we have some pretty high maintenance patients who need all the financial and moral support you can provide. There’s still time to add your family’s name to our wall of fame with the “Family Giving Challenge.”

Questions, comments, suggestions??

Please direct any questions, comments or suggestions re: this column to me at: flippers@att.net. To be added to the newsletter list e-mail me at the same address: flippers@att.net. If your e-mail address has recently changed please send me your new one so I can update my master list. You can also access the newsletter from our website.

Eyes right

Just like us, sea turtles can get hurt in many ways, and in many places. Usually it’s the body parts with the most exposed area, like their flippers or carapace (shell) that take the brunt of the abuse. But sometimes it’s the eyes.

Sea turtles are not constructed like land tortoises; they can’t . . . → Read More: Eyes right]]> Sea Turtle Hospital News

Eyes right

Just like us, sea turtles can get hurt in many ways, and in many places. Usually it’s the body parts with the most exposed area, like their flippers or carapace (shell) that take the brunt of the abuse. But sometimes it’s the eyes.

Sea turtles are not constructed like land tortoises; they can’t pull their appendages into their shell for protection. The only way they can shield their eyes from injury is by throwing up a flipper to deflect danger. Even though the bulk of our patients present with injuries to other areas we do deal with eye trauma on a fairly regular basis.

Long time volunteers and friends of the hospital will remember “Wendy,” a Loggerhead hatchling seen swimming in circles by boaters near Atlantic Beach. After rescuing the little critter they transported her to a local marina where a call was placed to the NC Wildlife Resources Commission requesting further instructions. Wendy Cluse, Assistant Sea Turtle Coordinator collected her (soon to be) namesake and transported her to our hospital for evaluation and treatment

Photo: Ocracoke sits patiently during treatment on her eye.

One of the first things we noticed was what appeared to be a white overlay on her left eye. We consulted with our hospital vet, Dr. Craig Harms (College of Veterinary Medicine at NC State University) who examined the suspicious looking film and prescribed a course of treatment. When the overlay began changing into a bumpy-looking growth despite the medication Dr. Harms carefully took a biopsy. We needed to determine if Wendy had a serious and very contagious (to other sea turtles) condition called fibropapillomatosis (aka FP.) Unfortunately the tissue showed signs of being positive for the disease.

Dr. Greg Lewbart (College of Veterinary Medicine at NC State University) then recommended we take Wendy to a colleague of his in Virginia, Dr. Brad Nadelstein, a world-class veterinary ophthalmologist experienced with vision problems in sea turtles. After a very thorough exam Dr. Nadelstein felt that surgery to remove the growth would restore part if not all of Wendy’s vision. The procedure was very involved, and as he was describing the surgery Jean was becoming frantic knowing she would have to decide if the cost of surgery for one turtle could be justified when we had a hospital full of patients who were also depending on us for their care. When she asked the million dollar question, what will it cost, Dr. Nadelstein replied: “Nothing.” He explained that part of his practice was dedicated to taking these types of exceptional cases at no cost. Thanks to his compassion and the dedication of his staff who also volunteered their time Wendy was scheduled for surgery.

The lesion was surgically removed, the lens was cleaned and our Wendy came home. As is our standard practice with FP cases we kept Wendy under observation for 18 months, and when there was no recurrence on the eye and radiographs of her entire body showed no internal growths she went on the release list. Wendy grew and grew (and grew) and at age three, with startlingly clear eyes she hit the surf to explore a world she had experienced only briefly, this time with perfect sea turtle vision!

You all know the story of “Lennie,” our resident Kemp’s and hospital ambassador. Blunt force trauma to his head left him permanently blind in both eyes. We suspected his vision was impaired shortly after he was admitted when he wasn’t able to find his food, even though he was obviously hungry.  Dr. Nadelstein again came to our rescue and confirmed our suspicions. Now sea turtles might not have the best vision in the world but a turtle with no vision obviously wouldn’t have a chance of survival. That’s why Lennie has a “forever” home at our hospital, and he’ll probably outlive many of us!

A relatively new admit, a large Loggerhead “Ocracoke” is an example of what can happen when a turtle becomes cold-stunned. Left unable to literally move any part of their body they become victims of predators, especially birds looking for a quick and easy snack. Ocracoke was rescued and handed over to our care with one eye badly savaged. She was treated oh-so-carefully with medication and special topical ointments several times a day for about a month. Sadly for Ocracoke the treatment could not repair the tremendous damage sustained by the eye, but even so she will be released once her rehabilitation is complete. Cold-stun eye injuries can also occur when turtles strand on the beach and are battered by blowing sand and cold winds. In most cases these types of injuries heal quickly after a standard course of treatment.

We have a very recent admit with an eye injury that’s resulted in the loss of vision, but not from predatory activity. This little Green is temporarily going by the name of “Topsy.” The kids and staff at South Topsail Elementary School are brainstorming names for the critter, and we’ll formally introduce her to you once Jean has made the final selection. The important thing to remember is that, even with vision in only one eye these critters can learn to compensate, adapt and happily ply the oceans once again.

Nesting just around the corner

Thanks to all the returning and new volunteers who attended our training sessions and have signed up to walk the beaches as part of our Topsail Turtle Project team. Nesting season officially begins May 1^st and runs through the end of August. If you missed the training but are interested in signing on as a sub, or you’d like more information on the program e-mail Terry at: topsailseaturtle@aol.com.

Sunny, with the possibility of stunning

After weeks with temps in the 70’s and 80’s Mother Nature “cold-snapped” her fingers and sent nights plunging into the 30-degree range. That means we’ve probably not seen the last of the cold-stun victims for 2012. Please continue to keep a lookout for any turtles you see stranded on the beach, in the grasses along the shore and in the water. If it’s not moving don’t assume it is dead. It might be cold stunned, and when rescued in time the prognosis for these critters is excellent.

If you come across a stunned turtle carefully pick it up and place it in a protected but not overly warm area (a garage, car or laundry room would work well.) DO NOT place the turtle in warm water; a sudden change in temperature will send it into shock and possibly kill it. Immediately call the Wildlife Resources Commission’s sea turtle emergency hotline number at: 252-241-7367. Someone is available 24/7 to pick up calls. Locally you can call Terry (see number below) or Jean at: 910-470-2800.

Please report any and all local sea turtle activity (hatchings, strandings, injured or sick turtles) immediately to our Director of Beach Operations, Terry Meyer at 910-470-2880. Terry can be reached at: topsailseaturtle@aol.com for non-emergencies. All sea turtles are federally protected and harassing or harming them in any way will result in hefty fines and/or imprisonment.

Shop every Tuesday

Don’t forget that our gift shop is open every Tuesday until further notice. Just knock on our hospital door between 9 AM and 11 AM any Tuesday and tell us you’re there to shop. Preview some of the items we have available online at our website before you come and remember, we can only accept cash and checks at this time. You can also shop for our logo T’s year-round at QuarterMoon Bookstore in Topsail Beach. Thanks, Lori.

Of course you can use our online ordering service at your convenience because our website never closes: www.seaturtlehospital.org. Stay connected with our patients and the progress of the new hospital. We’re stocked with clothing and other gifts and goodies perfect for turtle lovers. Follow the links to “Adopt-A-Sea-Turtle,” we have some pretty high maintenance patients who need all the financial and moral support you can provide. There’s still time to add your family’s name to our wall of fame with the “Family Giving Challenge.”

Questions, comments, suggestions??

Please direct any questions, comments or suggestions re: this column to me at: flippers@att.net. To be added to the newsletter list e-mail me at the same address: flippers@att.net. If your e-mail address has recently changed please send me your new one so I can update my master list. You can also access the newsletter from our website.

A lovely parting gift

We’re really happy when we can send our turtles home. But when one of our long-time hospital volunteers packs up and heads north to be closer the grandbaby it’s like losing part of the family.

Mary “O” began working at the hospital on our Tuesday team about a decade ago. . . . → Read More: A lovely parting gift]]> Sea Turtle Hospital News

A lovely parting gift

We’re really happy when we can send our turtles home. But when one of our long-time hospital volunteers packs up and heads north to be closer the grandbaby it’s like losing part of the family.

Mary “O” began working at the hospital on our Tuesday team about a decade ago. She and her husband, John were also loyal Topsail Turtle Project volunteers, veterans of many nests and hatchings over the past ten years. Mary was one of our real worker bees; always willing to flit off to tackle any job I asked of her. Whether the task was lofty (acting as tour guide) or menial (cleaning the floors and scrubbing the outside of the tanks) she did it all with smile on her face and lots of laughter! She stuck with us through hundreds of turtles and a lot of changes over the years. We sometimes reminisce about the (not so good) old days before our current water system was installed. Back then, every day, each turtle in our hospital had its tank drained and cleaned and was given a soapy bath. It meant starting around 7 AM and not walking out until late in the afternoon. Newer volunteers seem incredulous when we talk about it, but somehow the time at the hospital flew by even when the work seemed overwhelming.

Mary, being a very patient and thorough person has been my go-to instructor for demonstrating to new volunteers the fine art of working the nets, brushes and bleach rags. There really is a technique for getting the water swirling around the tank in such a way that the debris surfaces so that it can be removed, and Mary attacked every last particle with various sizes of nets and filters until the water sparkled. She was also a master at turtle transport and would hang on to the critter for dear life no matter how badly she was being abused by flailing flippers.

Photo: Volunteers Mary and John Olesniewicz display the tapestry John created for our new hospital.

In a few weeks Mary and John will be off to their new home in Bangor, Maine, but not before leaving us with something incredibly special to remember them by. It seems that John spent the last year-and-a-half furiously working on a very large (32” x 42”) needlepoint tapestry for our new hospital. He calls the piece “Going Home,” because Jean concludes her speech at every turtle release with; “these turtles are going home!”  John spent many hours just in the research and design of the tapestry, which shows a Green sea turtle happily swimming free in a deep blue ocean. He special-ordered the fabric (Penelope, 10-count) from England, and the yarn is a three-ply wool from Australia called Paternyan.

There are 142,000 basket-weave stitches in the hanging, 100 stitches per square inch, and each stitch contains two strands of wool. With a total of twenty-six different colors it’s no wonder that it took John an estimated 1,000 hours to finish this project! When our new hospital is complete this magnificent work of art will be hanging in a place of honor for all to admire. So even though Mary “O” will no longer be here in body her spirit will be with us every day in the form of “Mary” the wooly Green sea turtle. Many, many heartfelt flipper hugs to Mary and John for their devotion to our cause and our turtles over the past decade. May your new life be full of joy, and many more grandbabies!

Topsail Turtle Project Volunteer Training

Ready to tie on those sneakers or strap on those sandals and walk the beach? Those mama Loggerheads will soon be heading toward Topsail loaded with eggs, and you can help us help them by becoming a Topsail Turtle Project volunteer. Two training sessions are scheduled at the Surf City Welcome Center:  Wednesday April 4^th from 6:30-8:30, and Tuesday, April 10^th from 2:00-4:00. You’ll see a short video, lots of cools pics and get handouts with sea turtle facts. It’s a chance to meet and talk to the area coordinators and other volunteers. And of course we have official Topsail Turtle Project team gear, a specially designed T-shirt that you can purchase for a nominal charge when you sign up.

If you’re able to commit to walking an assigned section of beach on one or more day(s) each week from May 1^st through August 31^st plan on attending one of these sessions. If you won’t be here the entire summer come anyway and put your name on the list of subs, or come just because you want to learn more about our sea turtles.

Training is optional for returning volunteers but is encouraged because you just never know what surprises Terry might have up her sleeve. We’re always learning something new from the increased interest in and research on the secret lives of these magnificent creatures.

For more information e-mail Terry at: topsailseaturtle@aol.com.

Sunny, but with a chance of stunning

Even though it’s March we’re not totally out of danger for a sudden and quick cold snap. Please continue to keep a lookout for any turtles you see stranded on the beach, in the grasses along the shore and in the water. If it’s not moving don’t assume it is dad. It might be cold stunned, and when rescued in time the prognosis for these critters is excellent.

If you come across a stunned turtle carefully pick it up and place it in a protected but not overly warm area (a garage, car or laundry room would work well.) DO NOT place the turtle in warm water; a sudden change in temperature will send it into shock and possibly kill it. Immediately call the Wildlife Resources Commission’s sea turtle emergency hotline number at: 252-241-7367. Someone is available 24/7 to pick up calls. Locally you can call Terry (see number below) or Jean at: 910-470-2800.

Please report any and all local sea turtle activity (hatchings, strandings, injured or sick turtles) immediately to our Director of Beach Operations, Terry Meyer at 910-470-2880. Terry can be reached at: topsailseaturtle@aol.com for non-emergencies. All sea turtles are federally protected and harassing or harming them in any way will result in hefty fines and/or imprisonment.

Tuesday is the day to shop

Don’t forget that our gift shop is open every Tuesday until further notice. Just knock on our hospital door between 9 AM and 11 AM any Tuesday and tell us you’re there to shop. Preview some of the items we have available online at our website before you come and remember, we can only accept cash and checks at this time. You can also shop for our logo T’s year-round at QuarterMoon Bookstore in Topsail Beach. Thanks, Lori.

Of course you can use our online ordering service at your convenience because our website never closes: www.seaturtlehospital.org. Stay connected with our patients and the progress of the new hospital. We’re stocked with clothing and other gifts and goodies perfect for turtle lovers. Follow the links to “Adopt-A-Sea-Turtle,” we have some pretty high maintenance patients who need all the financial and moral support you can provide. There’s still time to add your family’s name to our wall of fame with the “Family Giving Challenge.”

Questions, comments, suggestions??

Please direct any questions, comments or suggestions re: this column to me at: flippers@att.net. To be added to the newsletter list e-mail me at the same address: flippers@att.net. If your e-mail address has recently changed please send me your new one so I can update my master list. You can also access the newsletter from our website.

Put on your boogie shoes…

…and dance on over to one of the training classes for Topsail Turtle Project volunteers. Seems like we just wrapped up the final numbers on last year’s activity and it’s already time to get our carapaces in gear for our 2012 nesting and hatching season.

From May 1st through the . . . → Read More: Put on your boogie shoes…]]> Sea Turtle Hospital News

Put on your boogie shoes…

…and dance on over to one of the training classes for Topsail Turtle Project volunteers. Seems like we just wrapped up the final numbers on last year’s activity and it’s already time to get our carapaces in gear for our 2012 nesting and hatching season.

From May 1^st through the end of August mama Loggerheads head home with their precious cargo, fertilized eggs ready to be deposited and incubated here on Topsail. Begun in the early 1980’s by Karen Beasley the ranks of our all-volunteer force dedicated to patrolling every grain of sand on the island during nesting season has grown exponentially. Good thing, too, because it takes a lot of footprints to cover twenty-six miles of shoreline every morning for four months!

So what exactly do our “beach walkers” do? Under the guidance of Terry Meyer (Director of Beach Operations) and her area coordinators (experienced volunteers who have logged many miles on the sand) you’ll patrol your assigned section of beach on the same day (or days) of each week. You’ll look for turtle tracks and signs of nesting, and then assist your area coordinator in determining whether you’ve found a viable nest or a false crawl. If you’ve got a nest (yay!) you’ll be staking it out and checking it for any signs of disturbance or hatching during your subsequent walks.

Photo: “Let’s go out together.”

Generally, hatching takes place about sixty days from the time the nest was laid, so many of those early nests will begin hatching in July. Of course you’ll want to be present when “your” babies make their appearance. Although hatching continues through October many of our beach walkers are seasonal residents who head home at the end of the summer, sadly missing out on the blessed event. Our remaining beach walkers then step in as foster parents to assist with the hatch.

If you’re able to commit to the May through August nesting timeframe you’re encouraged to sign up. If you’re only available part of that time come to the training anyway and ask to be put on the list for subs. Or come just because you want to know more about our sea turtles.

Two training sessions are scheduled for Topsail Turtle Project volunteers at the Surf City Welcome Center:  Wednesday April 4^th from 6:30-8:30, and Tuesday, April 10^th from 2:00-4:00. You’ll see a short video, lots of cools pics and get handouts with sea turtle facts. It’s a chance to meet and talk to the area coordinators and other volunteers. And of course we have official Topsail Turtle Project team gear, a specially designed T-shirt that you can purchase for a nominal charge when you sign up.

Training is optional for returning volunteers but is encouraged because you just never know what surprises Terry might have up her sleeve. We’re always learning something new from the increased interest in and research on the secret lives of these magnificent creatures.

For more information e-mail Terry at: topsailseaturtle@aol.com.

Stunning news

Looks like our hospital is the place to go if you’re a BIG cold-stunned Loggerhead. Our latest admit washed up along the outer banks last week. When we asked for a volunteer willing to move to slightly smaller quarters “Boater” immediately raised his flipper. We suspect his motives are a bit less than pure as this move puts him closer to the kitchen and the first to be fed in the morning! Even though it’s March we’re not totally out of danger for a sudden and quick cold snap. Please continue to keep a lookout for any turtles you see stranded on the beach, in the grasses along the shore and in the water. If it’s not moving don’t assume it is dad. It might be cold stunned, and when rescued in time the prognosis for these critters is excellent.

If you come across a stunned turtle carefully pick it up and place it in a protected but not overly warm area (a garage, car or laundry room would work well.) DO NOT place the turtle in warm water; a sudden change in temperature will send it into shock and possibly kill it. Immediately call the Wildlife Resources Commission’s sea turtle emergency hotline number at: 252-241-7367. Someone is available 24/7 to pick up calls. Locally you can call Terry (see number below) or Jean at: 910-470-2800.

Please report any and all local sea turtle activity (hatchings, strandings, injured or sick turtles) immediately to our Director of Beach Operations, Terry Meyer at 910-470-2880. Terry can be reached at: topsailseaturtle@aol.com for non-emergencies. All sea turtles are federally protected and harassing or harming them in any way will result in hefty fines and/or imprisonment.

Tuesday is the day to shop

Don’t forget that our gift shop is open every Tuesday until further notice. Just knock on our hospital door between 9 AM and 11 AM any Tuesday and tell us you’re there to shop. Preview some of the items we have available online at our website before you come and remember, we can only accept cash and checks at this time. You can also shop for our logo T’s year-round at QuarterMoon Bookstore in Topsail Beach. Thanks, Lori.

Of course you can use our online ordering service at your convenience because our website never closes: www.seaturtlehospital.org. Stay connected with our patients and the progress of the new hospital. We’re stocked with clothing and other gifts and goodies perfect for turtle lovers. Follow the links to “Adopt-A-Sea-Turtle,” we have some pretty high maintenance patients who need all the financial and moral support you can provide. There’s still time to add your family’s name to our wall of fame with the “Family Giving Challenge.”

Questions, comments, suggestions??

Please direct any questions, comments or suggestions re: this column to me at: flippers@att.net. To be added to the newsletter list e-mail me at the same address: flippers@att.net. If your e-mail address has recently changed please send me your new one so I can update my master list. You can also access the newsletter from our website.

One good ‘tern…

…deserves another. We decided winter intern Wyatt shouldn’t have all the fun by himself, so we brought on Alastair McArthur as his roomie. It’s always more entertaining when there’s somebody else around when you want to “talk turtle.”

Alastair initially applied for our summer internship program in 2009, while he was still . . . → Read More: One good ‘tern…]]> Sea Turtle Hospital News

One good ‘tern…

…deserves another. We decided winter intern Wyatt shouldn’t have all the fun by himself, so we brought on Alastair McArthur as his roomie. It’s always more entertaining when there’s somebody else around when you want to “talk turtle.”

Alastair initially applied for our summer internship program in 2009, while he was still a student at Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Florida. After being accepted he realized that a previous commitment precluded him from fulfilling our twelve-week requirement so we never actually got to see his face, until a few weeks ago. Alastair is college friends with one of our externs and he never forgot about that lost opportunity. He decided to reconnect with Jean to see if he could come “off-season.”  And the rest, as they say, is history.

This isn’t Alastair’s first experience with sea turtles. He was involved with the beach monitoring program in St. Pete, the Florida version of our Topsail Turtle Project. He also worked with various freshwater species of turtles, specifically in the Rainbow River area. That involved strapping on fins and a snorkel and plying the river bottom along a specific habitat. Once the turtle was located it was a quick snatch and hang on! We often have to resort to sneaking up on our patients when we need to get them out of their tank for various procedures, but unlike our turtles the river critters had plenty of places to hide so it was a bit more challenging. Once the freshwater turtle was procured it was weighed, measured, tagged and required to “donate” some blood before being returned to its home. Alastair also assisted in marking the scutes for future identification.

All that bagging and tagging is probably why he especially enjoys the weekly weighing and measuring of our babies, the smaller Green’s and Kemp’s. And if we have to set up some communal living due an influx of cold-stuns his experience in identification by scute anomaly will come in handy. After assisting with the Mola Mola rescue efforts a few weeks ago he’s adept at handling the wide range of sizes and shapes we have in residence at the moment. When we say “hands on” we really mean it, and that’s the main reason Alastair was so eager to sign on as an intern.

This Mystic, Connecticut native also has one quality that’s really appreciated by all of us; he’s very neat. When you squeeze volunteers and patients into tiny spaces neat is a big plus. And with a talent for organization he’s been a huge help to our medical supply coordinator with the inventory and sorting of our “stuff” in preparation for our move to the new facility.

If his plans for grad school or a career in wildlife law enforcement don’t come about in the next few months he may get a chance to experience the one thing he’s missing by being a winter intern; interacting with the more than 40,000 visitors we see every summer. He says he’d love to have a chance to educate the public about our turtles and our work. If you happen to see him running on the beach, which he does in his spare time, flag him down and ask him about our turtles.

Keep your eyes peeled

Although we haven’t gotten any cold-stuns recently that doesn’t mean they’re not out there. Please continue to keep a lookout for any turtles you see stranded on the beach, in the grasses along the shore and in the water. If it’s not moving don’t assume it is dead. It might be cold stunned, and when rescued in time the prognosis for these critters is excellent.

If you come across a stunned turtle carefully pick it up and place it in a protected but not overly warm area (a garage, car or laundry room would work well.) DO NOT place the turtle in warm water; a sudden change in temperature will send it into shock and possibly kill it. Immediately call the Wildlife Resources Commission’s sea turtle emergency hotline number at: 252-241-7367. Someone is available 24/7 to pick up calls. Locally you can call Terry (see number below) or Jean at: 910-470-2800.

Please report any and all local sea turtle activity (hatchings, strandings, injured or sick turtles) immediately to our Director of Beach Operations, Terry Meyer at 910-470-2880. Terry can be reached at: topsailseaturtle@aol.com for non-emergencies. All sea turtles are federally protected and harassing or harming them in any way will result in hefty fines and/or imprisonment.

Tuesday is T-shirt day

Don’t forget that our gift shop is open every Tuesday until further notice. Just knock on our hospital door between 9 AM and 11 AM any Tuesday and tell us you’re there to shop. Preview some of the items we have available online at our website before you come and remember, we can only accept cash and checks at this time. You can also shop for our logo T’s year-round at QuarterMoon Bookstore in Topsail Beach. Thanks, Lori.

Of course you can use our online ordering service at your convenience because our website never closes: www.seaturtlehospital.org. Stay connected with our patients and the progress of the new hospital. We’re stocked with clothing and other gifts and goodies perfect for turtle lovers. Follow the links to “Adopt-A-Sea-Turtle,” we have some pretty high maintenance patients who need all the financial and moral support you can provide. There’s still time to add your family’s name to our wall of fame with the “Family Giving Challenge.”

Questions, comments, suggestions??

Please direct any questions, comments or suggestions re: this column to me at: flippers@att.net. To be added to the newsletter list e-mail me at the same address: flippers@att.net. If your e-mail address has recently changed please send me your new one so I can update my master list. You can also access the newsletter from our website.

We love the smell of turtle breath in the morning!

This time last year cold-stunned Greens, Loggerheads and Kemp’s of all sizes occupied every nook and cranny of our hospital. It was one nasty winter, and the bitter cold temps exacted a horrific toll on man and beast alike. While we may have figuratively . . . → Read More: We love the smell of turtle breath in the morning!]]> Sea Turtle Hospital News

We love the smell of turtle breath in the morning!

This time last year cold-stunned Greens, Loggerheads and Kemp’s of all sizes occupied every nook and cranny of our hospital. It was one nasty winter, and the bitter cold temps exacted a horrific toll on man and beast alike. While we may have figuratively frozen we had a building full of sea turtles that were quite literally found in that state, and sent to us for thawing out. This year it’s different, at least for now.

The two large Loggerheads that came in near death last month are now off their meds, eating everything we toss into their tanks and obviously hoping for more. How they survived body temps in the low 40-degree range remains a mystery, as temperatures below 60-degrees can be problematic for these cold-blooded critters. We have the experience and the determination to do what it takes to give every turtle that comes through our doors the best chance they’ll ever get to return home.

Photo:”A little to the right, please.” “Anderson” enjoying his carapace massage before returning to his tank after being weighed and measured.

The bulk of our patients are now either fully recovered or well over the hump. It’s not easy taking care of the sick and injured, but healthy turtles are just as much work. They still need their meals, clean tanks and an occasional sunbath. They might splash you with their flippers when you walk buy. We‘ve had turtles who were masters at dismantling their in-tank plumbing. Some turtles will spend their day “migrating,” swimming endlessly in one direction towards who knows what, sounding like a washing machine or metronome with their constant rhythm. Of course there’s always the “tank potatoes” who park themselves in a nice sunny spot for a long nap. Enjoy your downtime now guys, because when we get into the new building you’ll be scheduled for a workout session in the therapy pool!

Our resident Kemp’s and Hospital Ambassador, “Lennie” who typically goes into a mid-winter funk is more animated this year because he’s working closely with us on a very special program. Watch this column for breaking news about “Lennie’s Fan Club.”

Although Mother Nature has taken pity on us so far this winter that doesn’t mean we’re totally out of the seaweed. You know what they say about people who don’t learn from history. Please continue to keep a lookout for any turtles you see stranded on the beach, in the grasses along the shore and in the water. If it’s not moving don’t assume it is dead. It might be cold stunned, and when rescued in time the prognosis for these critters is excellent.

If you come across a stunned turtle carefully pick it up and place it in a protected but not overly warm area (a garage, car or laundry room would work well.) DO NOT place the turtle in warm water; a sudden change in temperature will send it into shock and possibly kill it. Immediately call the Wildlife Resources Commission’s sea turtle emergency hotline number at: 252-241-7367. Someone is available 24/7 to pick up calls. Locally you can call Terry (see number below) or Jean at: 910-470-2800.

Please report any and all local sea turtle activity (hatchings, strandings, injured or sick turtles) immediately to our Director of Beach Operations, Terry Meyer at 910-470-2880. Terry can be reached at: topsailseaturtle@aol.com for non-emergencies. All sea turtles are federally protected and harassing or harming them in any way will result in hefty fines and/or imprisonment.

Shop every Tuesday

Don’t forget that our gift shop is open every Tuesday until further notice. Just knock on our hospital door between 9 AM and 11 AM any Tuesday and tell us you’re there to shop. Preview some of the items we have available online at our website before you come and remember, we can only accept cash and checks at this time. You can also shop for our logo T’s year-round at QuarterMoon Bookstore in Topsail Beach. Thanks, Lori.

Of course you can use our online ordering service at your convenience because our website never closes: www.seaturtlehospital.org. Stay connected with our patients and the progress of the new hospital. We’re stocked with clothing and other gifts and goodies perfect for turtle lovers. Follow the links to “Adopt-A-Sea-Turtle,” we have some pretty high maintenance patients who need all the financial and moral support you can provide. There’s still time to add your family’s name to our wall of fame with the “Family Giving Challenge.”

Questions, comments, suggestions??

Please direct any questions, comments or suggestions re: this column to me at: flippers@att.net. To be added to the newsletter list e-mail me at the same address: flippers@att.net. If your e-mail address has recently changed please send me your new one so I can update my master list. You can also access the newsletter from our website.

Taking ‘terns

Long ago we had about three or so, and only during the summer. But as our reputation for having one of the best (uncompensated) opportunities for hands-on experience with sea turtles grew so did our stable of interns. Now no matter what time of year it is you can’t turn around without . . . → Read More: Taking ‘terns]]> Sea Turtle Hospital News

Taking ‘terns

Long ago we had about three or so, and only during the summer. But as our reputation for having one of the best (uncompensated) opportunities for hands-on experience with sea turtles grew so did our stable of interns. Now no matter what time of year it is you can’t turn around without tripping over an intern or a visiting extern. The latest addition to our roster is Wyatt Allen, who graduated from Wake Forest in December with a BS in Biology and minors in Chemistry and Japanese.

Wyatt’s introduction to our hospital came many years ago before our building was constructed. He remembers turtles in outdoor tanks, and lots of visitors in line. Although he never made it back until a few weeks ago his family kept him informed of our progress and work by sending him articles. And his fascination and love of sea turtles (and whales) never diminished. Wyatt says that our winter internship allows him to “live out my childhood dream” while contemplating his next step, work or grad school in Marine Biology.

Photo: Intern Wyatt Allen gives ‘Lefty’ (and his tank) a good scrub. Can you believe he’s just a bit over three years old? Lefty, that is, not Wyatt!

Wyatt views our internship as a chance to get intimately acquainted with marine animals that have a variety of medical challenges, specifically animals that are in rehab with one goal, returning home. He loves all aspects of the work at our hospital, from husbandry to medical treatments. Although he anticipated the long, dirty and smelly days of working with sea turtles he had no idea that “other duties as assigned” would include babysitting our water treatment system. But he’s actually happy for that experience since it’s a transferrable skill for anyone considering making a career out of working with animals that live in water.

The old adage “there’s somebody for everyone” holds true at our hospital, too. Wyatt very quickly found a very favorite patient, a little Green called “Scuter.” Although the baby Greens are pretty darn cute with absolutely stunning patterns on their carapace there’s a bit more to this particular attraction. Since Scuter will one day convert from omnivore to herbivore he gets some lettuce along with his morning meal of squid and fish. But he’s not happy if it’s just floating randomly around his tank. Scuter rustles it up with his flippers and corrals it into a little “salad.” Pass the balsamic, please. Wyatt’s also fallen under the spell of a little Kemp’s called “Snaggle.” Named for his deformed beak, a long-healed injury present when he was admitted Snaggle is just goofy looking enough to be called adorable.

Wyatt arrived just about the same time as our two cold-stun Loggerheads, and is amazed at their rapid progress from frozen to fabulous. It’s hard to describe the amazing capacity these critters have to recover given the proper medical care and lots of TLC. Like Wyatt, you have to just see it happen literally before your eyes to believe it.

Wyatt will be with us for several months while deciding on his next move. He may delay grad school for an opportunity to relocate to Japan to teach English in a more rural area of that country. He was in Japan during the earthquake and tsunami, but says he was far enough away to be out of any real danger. In the meantime he’ll continue working with us during the day (and night) and enjoy playing games in the company of his fellow interns/externs.

Tuesday is shopping day

Don’t forget that our gift shop is open every Tuesday until further notice. Just knock on our hospital door between 9 AM and 11 AM any Tuesday and tell us you’re ready to buy! You’ll be escorted to our gift shop annex for some personal shopping time. Preview some of the items we have available online at our website before you come and remember, we can only accept cash and checks at this time. You can also shop for our logo T’s year-round at QuarterMoon Bookstore in Topsail Beach. Lori has been carrying our shirts for years; flipper hugs, lady. But if you can’t make it to our annex or Lori’s shop please use the online ordering service.

Our website: www.seaturtlehospital.org is open year-round. Stay connected with our patients and the progress of the new hospital. We’re stocked with clothing and other gifts and goodies perfect for turtle lovers. Follow the links to “Adopt-A-Sea-Turtle,” we have some pretty high maintenance patients who need all the financial and moral support you can provide. There’s still time to add your family’s name to our wall of fame with the “Family Giving Challenge.”

Cold-stuns on the mend

The two large juvenile Loggerheads we admitted several weeks ago with unbelievably low body temps are on the road to recovery. “RC” and “SSN NC” are lookin’ good, with very healthy appetites. They’re finishing up their last few rounds of antibiotics, administered to stave off any effects of their ordeal, especially pneumonia. We’re betting that we haven’t seen the last cold-stun come through our doors, especially with the roller coaster temps of this winter. Please continue to keep a lookout for any turtles you see stranded on the beach, in the grasses along the shore and in the water. If it’s not moving don’t assume it is dead. It might be cold stunned, and when rescued in time the prognosis for these critters is excellent.

If you come across a stunned turtle carefully pick it up and place it in a protected but not overly warm area (a garage, car or laundry room would work well.) DO NOT place the turtle in warm water; a sudden change in temperature will send it into shock and possibly kill it. Immediately call the Wildlife Resources Commission’s sea turtle emergency hotline number at: 252-241-7367. Someone is available 24/7 to pick up calls. Locally you can call Terry (see number below) or Jean at: 910-470-2800.

Please report any and all local sea turtle activity (hatchings, strandings, injured or sick turtles) immediately to our Director of Beach Operations, Terry Meyer at 910-470-2880. Terry can be reached at: topsailseaturtle@aol.com for non-emergencies. All sea turtles are federally protected and harassing or harming them in any way will result in hefty fines and/or imprisonment.

Questions, comments, suggestions??

Please direct any questions, comments or suggestions re: this column to me at: flippers@att.net. To be added to the newsletter list e-mail me at the same address: flippers@att.net. The winter newsletter has been sent out, but I’ve had a few non-deliverables. If your e-mail address has recently changed please send me your new one so I can update my master list. You can also access the newsletter from our website.

Service with a smile!

One thing we’ve learned over the past fifteen years is that sea turtles possess an amazing amount of animal magnetism, and I’m not just referring to the mysterious way that they decode the magnetic forces of the earth to ply the oceans. My point is: they attract a lot of . . . → Read More: Service with a smile!]]> Sea Turtle Hospital News

Service with a smile!

One thing we’ve learned over the past fifteen years is that sea turtles possess an amazing amount of animal magnetism, and I’m not just referring to the mysterious way that they decode the magnetic forces of the earth to ply the oceans. My point is: they attract a lot of attention, which means that we get a lot of “company” at our hospital.

We maintain ongoing relationships with many colleges and universities, most notably with the NC State College of Veterinary Medicine, UNCG and UNCW. Last Monday we welcomed a group from UNCG’s Office of Leadership And Service-Learning which offers students an alternative, non-credit way to spend their semester break and develop their leadership skills through service.

Photo: Alex, NIkki and Katelynn finishing up with bathtime for the Greens.

Ann Somers, a professor at UNCG brings her students to our hospital several times a year. This year two of her protégés created a syllabus for a service trip and signed on to guide the group. The program is open to any student in good standing, which explains how we ended up working with quite a variety of ages and majors, ranging from Art to Couple’s Counseling to Parks and Recreation. Hey – we’ll talk sea turtle to anyone who will listen!

Photo: Nikki and Katelynn assist hospital volunteer Ginger with measurements.

A good many of our guests had no idea what to expect, and we found ourselves smiling at their unbridled enthusiasm and pure joy. They were elated to be sharing the same building with our turtles, feeding them their morning rations, scooping their tanks, giving baths and inhaling the unique garlic breath of a healthy patient. Comments included: “I didn’t realize how big they were,” and “I thought they were really mellow but they’re very, very strong!” But their biggest “ah-hah” moment was discovering that sea turtles do, indeed have distinct personalities. It was love at first sight and after one trip around the tanks they declared which turtle was their absolute favorite, and could tell you exactly why.

Photo: It might look like an episode of “American Pickers” but it’s the rest of the UNCG crew sorting through our collection of PVC pipe.

We had expected to be firmly ensconced in the new hospital by now, but since we’re still in our little turtle shack we had to find creative ways for them to “service” us. While rotating groups of three worked inside, the rest of their crew toiled outdoors in the coldest weather of the Winter under the direction of our defacto maintenance guru, Jennifer. Rehabbing sea turtles requires a lot of stuff, and thanks to the UNCG group our treasure trove of PVC pipe and fittings has been sorted, cleaned and labeled for transport and use in the new facility. In fact, pretty much everything lying in storage in our yard has had a good look-see and general clean-up.

Hopefully the experience gave them a greater understanding of why we do what we do, and just how hard our work is. When I asked Nikki Kennard, a graduate student who happened to be working inside with my Tuesday crew what she thought about the trip she replied. “it’s one of the best days of my life and I’m happy as a clam.” I told them to be sure to spread the word back in Greensboro and got a “no way” in reply. Seems they don’t want their friends to find out because they want to ensure a spot for themselves next year!

Gift shop open every Tuesday

We will continue to open our gift shop every Tuesday until further notice. To shop on Tuesday just knock on our hospital door between 9 AM and 11 AM and our gift shop guru will personally escort you to our annex where she’ll assist you. Check out some of our merchandise on line before you come, and remember we can only accept cash and checks at this time. You can also shop for our logo T’s year-round at QuarterMoon Bookstore in Topsail Beach. Lori has been carrying our shirts for years; flipper hugs, lady. But if you can’t make it to our annex or Lori’s shop please use the online ordering service.

Our website: www.seaturtlehospital.org is open year-round. Stay connected with our patients and the progress of the new hospital. We’re stocked with clothing and other gifts and goodies perfect for turtle lovers. Follow the links to “Adopt-A-Sea-Turtle,” we have some pretty high maintenance patients who need all the financial and moral support you can provide. There’s still time to add your family’s name to our wall of fame with the “Family Giving Challenge.”

Yep – we’ve been stunned

Now that Winter has officially reared its very unwelcome head the cold-stuns have arrived. And once they start coming we usually get them in by the dozen. Last week we admitted two large juvenile Loggerheads. They’ve been slowly warmed and are recovering with a protocol of antibiotics and lots of chow to help them regain their strength.

We rely on the help of our residents and visitors to identify and report victims of the cold weather, and you all really came through. Please continue to keep a lookout for any turtles you see stranded on the beach, in the grasses along the shore and in the water. If it’s not moving don’t assume it is dead. It might be cold stunned, and when rescued in time the prognosis for these critters is excellent.

If you come across a stunned turtle carefully pick it up and place it in a protected but not overly warm area (a garage, car or laundry room would work well.) DO NOT place the turtle in warm water; a sudden change in temperature will send it into shock and possibly kill it. Immediately call the Wildlife Resources Commission’s sea turtle emergency hotline number at: 252-241-7367. Someone is available 24/7 to pick up calls. Locally you can call Terry (see number below) or Jean at: 910-470-2800.

Please report any and all local sea turtle activity (hatchings, strandings, injured or sick turtles) immediately to our Director of Beach Operations, Terry Meyer at 910-470-2880. Terry can be reached at: topsailseaturtle@aol.com for non-emergencies. All sea turtles are federally protected and harassing or harming them in any way will result in hefty fines and/or imprisonment.

Questions, comments, suggestions??

Please direct any questions, comments or suggestions re: this column to me at: flippers@att.net. To be added to the newsletter list e-mail me at the same address: flippers@att.net. The Winter newsletter has been sent out, but I’ve had a few non-deliverables. If your e-mail address has recently changed please send me your new one so I can update my master list. You can also access the newsletter from our website.

Caroling, Caroling

Sea turtles are just full of surprises, and since they live solitary lives and never return to shore (except as a mama with eggs) their many talents remain largely undiscovered and unappreciated. But once our patients recover from their illness or injury and get bored swimming in circles they start thinking of . . . → Read More: Caroling, Caroling]]> Sea Turtle Hospital News

Caroling, Caroling

Sea turtles are just full of surprises, and since they live solitary lives and never return to shore (except as a mama with eggs) their many talents remain largely undiscovered and unappreciated. But once our patients recover from their illness or injury and get bored swimming in circles they start thinking of ways to amuse themselves, and us.

Over the years we’ve had artists (Wendy, Lennie, Nubbin, Brownie); poets (Nubbin, Lennie) and composers (again, Lennie; are you seeing why he’s our hospital Ambassador?) Most turtle performances happen in the privacy of the hospital for the entertainment of the troops, our volunteers. But one tech-savvy Kemp’s Ridley chose to reach out via social media to everyone who supports us with a special Christmas greeting. After rehearsing for hours “Bishop” enlisted the help of the Sunday crew to put together the final production. He would like to thank Olivia Gaitros (cinematography) and Beth Howard (director/vocals) for making his dream come true.

You can view Bishop’s debut music video on YouTube. The easiest way to access it is via our hospital Facebook page. Go to our website: www.seaturtlehospital.org. Click on the Facebook link, and then click on “Sea Turtle Sings Holiday Greeting.” Sit back and enjoy the performance, or sing along!

It’s beginning to look a lot like…

…a new hospital. All of the necessary infrastructure inspections have been completed, and now drywall is going up over the “guts.” Pretty soon the inside will look, well, pretty. But there’s still a lot to do, especially regarding the plumbing for sea turtle bay. We’ve had years of experience “going with the flow” of water that keeps our turtles toasty and floating happily in their tanks, but it’s tough to explain to someone not familiar with the intricacies of our particular system and needs just how it works, and how to put it together. Sometimes it’s just easier and quicker to turn it into a do-it-yourself project. We’re still a few months away from calling the place “home” but at least we can see the light at the end of the very long hallway that runs the length of our building.

Thank you all for believing in our work and our turtles as we’ve struggled to raise both the funding and the building itself over the past few years. Christmas blessings, flipper hugs and turtle kisses for a happy and healthy 2012.

Gift Shop remains open

We will continue to open our gift shop every Tuesday until further notice. To shop on Tuesday just knock on our hospital door between 9 AM and 11 AM and our gift shop guru will personally escort you to our annex where she’ll assist you. Check out some of our merchandise on line before you come, and remember we can only accept cash and checks at this time. You can also shop for our logo T’s year-round at QuarterMoon Bookstore in Topsail Beach. Lori has been carrying our shirts for years; flipper hugs, lady. But if you can’t make it to our annex or Lori’s shop please use the online ordering service.

Our website: www.seaturtlehospital.org is open year-round. Stay connected with our patients and the progress of the new hospital. We’re stocked with clothing and other gifts and goodies perfect for turtle lovers. Follow the links to “Adopt-A-Sea-Turtle,” we have some pretty high maintenance patients who need all the financial and moral support you can provide. There’s still time to add your family’s name to our wall of fame with the “Family Giving Challenge.”

Can this continue?

Although we’ve been lucky so far Old Man Winter has a nasty habit of sneaking up on you overnight, so it’s especially important that our residents and visitors be on the lookout for turtles you see stranded on the beach, in the grasses along the shore and in the water. If it’s not moving please don’t assume it is dead. It might be cold stunned, and when rescued in time the prognosis for these critters is excellent.

If you come across a stunned turtle carefully pick it up and place it in a protected but not overly warm area (a garage, car or laundry room would work well.) DO NOT place the turtle in warm water; a sudden change in temperature will send it into shock and possibly kill it. Immediately call the Wildlife Resources Commission’s sea turtle emergency hotline number at: 252-241-7367. Someone is available 24/7 to pick up calls. Locally you can call Terry (see number below) or Jean at: 910-470-2800.

Please report any and all local sea turtle activity (hatchings, strandings, injured or sick turtles) immediately to our Director of Beach Operations, Terry Meyer at 910-470-2880. Terry can be reached at: topsailseaturtle@aol.com for non-emergencies. All sea turtles are federally protected and harassing or harming them in any way will result in hefty fines and/or imprisonment.

Questions, comments, suggestions??

Please direct any questions, comments or suggestions re: this column to me at: flippers@att.net. To be added to the newsletter list e-mail me at the same address: flippers@att.net. The Winter newsletter has been sent out, but I’ve had a few non-deliverables. If your e-mail address has recently changed please send me your new one so I can update my master list. You can also access the newsletter from our website.