Sea Turtle Hospital News

Sea Turtle 101

The very impressive turnout for our Topsail Turtle Project (TTP) training classes has given us new hope. It appears that people are beginning to recognize just what is at stake should we continue the pattern of abuse to our oceans and the creatures that call it home.

You could have heard a pin drop as our Director of Beach Operations, Terry Meyer presented her compelling story of sea turtle facts, explaining how, in large part the actions of their main predator (man) has lead to their alarming decline. We're at a point where only specific and concerted efforts at the protection and preservation of sea turtles will stop them from disappearing from the planet. That's why every Topsail Turtle Project volunteer is welcomed with open flippers.

Moving from general to specific, Terry presented clear examples of what TTP beach walkers can experience. Distinguishing "nesting" tracks from false crawls was discussed, followed by what to do when you find tracks with indications that a turtle has nested. The specifics of verifying and marking the location of a nest were covered. Terry encourages all levels of participation in the process, from the basic "walk and call" to assisting the area coordinators in the actual moving of nests laid in risky locations, such as below the high tide line or in front of a beach access.

Almost every beach walker wants to be there when "their" nest hatches, and Terry emphasized that the turtles hatched here in N.C. are especially vital to the sea turtle population. The sex of a hatchling is determined by the temperature of the sand: hot sand = girls, cool sand = boys. Florida has the most nests and the hottest sand, so it's mostly girls being born down there. With our cooler climate we have a higher proportion of boys coming from our nests. And as good as the ladies are, they still need a little help from the men to produce a nest of viable eggs!

Terry again wants to thank everyone who came to the sessions and signed on to help. She's got an enthusiastic battalion of volunteers ready to hit the beaches on May 1, committed to the effort until the last hatchling has left the island in October. If you'd like more information about the program contact Terry at: 910-470-2880.

Hospital closed until June

We've got a hospital full of patients, and many of them are starting to "migrate" in their tanks, pointing their noses in a particular direction and swimming for extended periods of time. It won't be long until they have to endure the weighing, measuring and bloodletting of their pre-release physicals. Those making the cut will head out as soon as the water warms up here along the coast. Until then visit our turtles on-line at: www.seaturtlehospital.org.

Questions or Comments about this column?

Contact me at: flippers@embarqmail.com

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