Friday, January 22, 2016

NC Coast Pulls Together to Save Cold Stunned Turtles

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While we all enjoyed the warmer than normal tempertures and warmer water it has not been good for one endangered species.North Carolina has had a record number of sea turtles in need of immedient care.In 2 days more than 600 sea turtles were found cold stunned and in need of care of North Carlina's coast.Sea turtles are cold blooded reptiles.This means they can not warm themselves and need warm water to survive.When the water tempertures drop the go into a kind of hypothermia.This is cold stunned and they can not swim in this condition.This is why they migrate to warmer climates.

A few hundred were moved farther south to be released in warmer waters after getting warmed up and cleared to be released.This still leaves hundreds needing special care and resources.Their caretakers are optimistic many will be healthy enough for release in the next month.A few did not make it and have died.

The turtles include loggerheads , kemps ridley , and green sea turtles.5 out of 7 sea turtle species live off NCs coast. The hatch rate on the island of Topsail , North Topsail , and Surf City. http://www.seaturtlehospital.org/nest.htm .Some of the cold stunned turtles are being housed and cared for at the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center a non profit rescue in Surf City.The work off of donations and do not get state or federal funding.

Many great organizations helped with the rescue ,transporting , and care of the cold stunned sea turtles. The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission, National Marine Fisheries Service,U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, , Cape Hatteras National Seashore,North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island, North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores, North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher, North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine Marine Science Dept. ,Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center,The Sea Turtle Assistance and Rehabilitation Center,Network for Endangered Sea Turtles, & Hatteras Island Wildlife Rehabilitation.Please forgive me if I missed anyone.If I did drop me a message and I will add you!

The community donated totes , cardboard boxes , and towels in record numbers.Many clubs and donors have sent funds , but more are needed.This was a major undertaking and the sheer number of turtles used a good bit of everyone's reseres.The year is just starting so as you can imagine all these great organizations need funds to continue to help our sea turtles.

Do you want to help the sea turtles?

Donate to The Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center Via Paypal

Save the Sea Turtles NC License Plate

Adopt a Sea Turtle There are some turtles that need long term care.Be sure to go check them out and see if one moves you to "adopt" them.No you can't take them home.

Join the NC Aquariums

Donate to the NC Aquariums

Donate to N.E.S.T Via Paypal

If you see an injured , dead , or uninjured sea turtle do not touch or disturb it.If you see a nest do not touch or disturb it.If you see baby sea turtles do not touch , help , or disturb them. They are a protected animal! All species of sea turtles are protected under the Endangered Species Act.This includes dead ones.No part of a sea turtle can be taken it is a crime.

Call someone-

The Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center : 1-910-329-0222

Network for Endangered Sea Turtles : 1-252- 441-8622 (24 hour hotline)

Roanoke Island Aquarium: 1-252-473-3494

Pine Knoll Shores Aquarium: 1-252-247-4004

Fort Fisher Aquarium: 1-910-458-8259

NC Division of Marine Fisheries’ hotline: 1-800-682-2632

Your local police department

10 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. it has been sad not all have lived , but so many more have survived.

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  2. What a great way to help! I love sea turtles.

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    Replies
    1. We do too. These guys would not have survived without these great volunteers.

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  3. Replies
    1. They have to be one of the cutest reptile alive.Okay one of the cutest.

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  4. Aww, that's so sad! I love watching the baby turtles hatch when I'm down there.

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    Replies
    1. It is a wonderful thing to see. Be sure you go check out the hospital if you are ever in the area.They are closed right now , but will be in full swing in the Spring!

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  5. Replies
    1. Yes it is.Many had to have eye surgery and are still at the hospital.But many others have been released into the wild in warmer waters.

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