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.
