Sea Turtle Hospital News

Going Home

After basking in our care and hospitality for months, and in some cases years, twenty-two sea turtles have left the building. As a large crowd of volunteers and invited guests converged on the hospital an even larger crowd was assembling on the beach. This year's release ceremony was especially poignant. We recently lost long-time volunteer Mike Helwig, and also Dick Williams, husband of Lilmar (Turtle Talk) Taylor-Williams. In addition to remembering them, volunteers and guests wore ribbons commemorating the 145 (documented) sea turtles already lost to injury and disease so far this year.

As soon the tears dried the fun began; the draining of the tanks and the transfer of our very excited patients to the individuals assigned to release them. The little greens were easy: they've been shuffled around all winter as we tried to make room for incoming turtles, so they're used to being handled. As long as you are totally devoted to them they're happy to settle into your arms like a baby and bask in the attention. It's a little tougher to cradle a 150-pound loggerhead that just wants you to get them to the water. In fact, it was all the volunteers could do to keep these critters in the cars and trucks during the short ride to the surf. "Janelle" tried to convince us that, if we would just let her out at the beach across from the hospital she'd swim down and meet us at the release point and we could do a second release "for show." Those loggerheads are crafty, but we weren't buying her story.

Eleven vehicles traveled slowly down the road, up and over the access and onto the beach. And thanks to the incredible efforts of our Topsail Turtle Project volunteers who arrived hours ahead of time to set up and work the crowd we had a clear path to the surf once we arrived. Every turtle had their final fifteen minutes of fame as they were slowly carried to the water, each one identified by students who vied for the honor of carrying their name card. At the shore Mother Nature opened her welcoming arms and quickly reclaimed her once again healthy and joyous family. This is what we do, and we do it again and again, year after year. But most of us still leave the beach in a state of simmering emotional turmoil, concerned for the safety of these helpless creatures in an increasingly cruel and hazardous environment.

Topsail Turtle Project Update

It's been a slow start for the ladies, but we hear from boaters that there are lots of turtles "out there," about 20 miles from shore. We have six nests as of this writing, and would have had a seventh if some uninformed or just plain nasty people hadn't chased a mama all over the beach while she was in the middle of laying her eggs (you left footprints.) Not only was this just plain wrong, sea turtles are federally protected and harassing them in any way is punishable by a hefty fine and/or imprisonment. We're hoping that the nesting will ramp up as the waters finally begin to get warmer, and that we've seen the last of the kind of person who would intentionally interfere with a mother in the process of laying her eggs. We're asking that our residents and visitors assist in our efforts to protect the incoming mamas by being extra vigilant for nesting or stranded turtles, and by reporting anybody you see harassing our sea turtles to our Director of Beach Operations, Terry Meyer at 910-470-2880, immediately. Harassment incidents should also be reported immediately to the town police.

The hospital is OPEN!

The welcome mat is officially out, the patients have been settled into their new tanks and our summer interns are on the job. The gift shop is full of fresh merchandise: T-shirts, hats, visors, baby togs, stuffed turtles and all kinds of other turtle "stuff." The donation jars are out, and this year we really need everybody's support to get that final $350,00 we need to put up phase one of our new building. Visiting hours are from 2 to 4 p.m. daily, except Wednesday and Sunday. Lines can be long, so come prepared with sunscreen and umbrellas for shade. We reserve the right to close without notice during hazardous weather and for incoming turtles.

"Turtle Talk" Returns

Join us at the Surf City Community Center for a great family-oriented program on the mysterious lives of sea turtles. Turtle Talk is a great way to learn about these majestic creatures, with plenty of handouts and hands-on activities for every age. The program is free and is held every Wednesday from 3:45 to 4:45 p.m., through Labor Day. Bring your camera, and donations for our turtles are gratefully accepted.

These people put the "fun" in fundraising!

Got plans for June 20? You do now, because the sea turtle enthusiasts at the Blue Moon Gift Shops and the Gallery at Racine have put together an afternoon of fashion, food, fun and fabulous pricing, all to benefit our hospital.

The event kicks off at noon, and will include a 1 p.m. fashion show highlighting the colorful Hawaiian clothing found at Coconut Traders. And while you're picking out your summer togs you can sample their Tortuga rum cakes, punch and Caribbean hot sauces. Other entertainment will include strolling musicians from the Ukulele Academy as well as demonstrations from some of the 100 artists and retailers in the Blue Moon Shops. Sara Webster will also be on-hand to sign her latest children's book. Ten percent on all shop and gallery sales during this event will be donated to our turtles.

If you're looking for a special piece of art, snap up some raffle tickets for a one-of-a-kind wood and copper turtle sculpture donated by Shaw Lakey. One hundred percent of the proceeds from the Lakey raffle, as well as the Chinese Auction will be donated to the hospital.

Please help us continue our work at the Sea Turtle Hospital by joining the fun from 12 noon until 3 p.m. at "Wilmington's Best Gift Shop, 2009" in the Racine Center for the Arts. Contact Mary Ann Masucci at: 910-799-5793 for additional information.

Questions, comments or suggestions for stories

Contact me at: flippers@embarqmail.com. 

Karen Sota is the volunteer media coordinator for the Sea Turtle Hospital in Topsail Beach.