Day 4- Sleepy, Tame, or Excited Turtle?

We've now reached the halfway point of our trip, which is crazy because it feels like we just got here and there is so much left to learn! Although the turtles today were either sleepy or excited, none of them were particularly tame.















Today, half the group had another early morning working directly with the turtles, and we worked specifically in the Sea Turtle Sick Bay. We helped clean out all the individual tanks because they are not hooked up to a central filtration system, as well as assisting with giving the turtle soapy baths. We definitely got to see firsthand how each turtle has a personality, and the volunteers are so incredibly attuned to each turtles' preferences and idiosyncrasies. Additionally, we got to help weigh and keep track of the turtles' weights. Since all the turtles are considered 'sick,' mainly from cold stunning, it's incredibly important that they are eating and gaining weight. For the most part, all the turtles did gain weight and are doing very well, and the volunteers hope to release many of them this coming summer.


These volunteers that work with the sick turtles are also incredible. They've been specially trained to pick up these endangered turtles, and don't mind getting smacked by flippers and splashed by water constantly as they treat the injured turtles. The volunteers are the ones that truly appreciate each turtle individually and are beyond willing to spend the time to make sure the turtles get what they need.

We were also reminded that these creatures are not pets, but wild animals and have to be respected as such. We had the opportunity to witness the treatment of an approximately 35 year-old loggerhead sea turtle named October. October was the first sea turtle to have surgery in the new hospital and the procedure was largely successful. She is still not entirely comfortable with new people in the sick bay, but she no longer needs five people to restrain her for her daily treatment and cleaning.

The "late-risers" of the group were also put hard to work when they arrived at the hospital. Most of their day was spent scraping support beams for the volunteers to paint and cleaning the complex water-treatment room and the draining trenches in Sea Turtle Bay. Even Jean commented later in the afternoon how important working through these tasks are to accomplishing the hospitals mission. Completing tasks that the volunteers often have no time for on a day-to-day basis, helps those that are working in turtle-care keep their full attention on the most important thing- the turtles.

After our amazing lunch of TWO sandwiches each, we ventured back to the hospital where Jean gave us a talk about the impacts of cold stunning on sea turtles, both external and internal and short and long term. Cold stunning is when turtles, which are cold-blooded animals, are trapped in cold waters or washed up on beaches. Because they can't regulate their own body temperature, their body systems slow down and can even shut off, depending on how long the turtle is subjected to the extreme conditions. Jean showed us the amazing radiology room right inside the hospital, where the internal effects of cold stunning can be viewed- in particular, bone lesions. Displaying real radiographs from one of the current turtle occupants, Jib, Jean explained to us how both she and the vet examine the radiographs and discern the sites of bone loss in the turtle, which they suspect is due to cold stunning. We all have learned so much from Jean and she's not only incredibly informed about everything to do with sea turtles, but she's also aware of other surrounding issues. One thing that really stuck out to us was that animals that are euthanized can't just be buried because scavengers who consume the flesh of these dead animals will also be indirectly euthanized. We really admire not only Jean's knowledge, but also her passion for educating others.

~Shannon and Nicole M.

P.S. Fun Fact of the day: Because sea turtles don't anchor their internal organs, if you flip them over to look at the bottom of their shell, you have to flip them back over the same way otherwise their intestines might get tangled and tear. So flip your turtles carefully!