Jean Beasley, Director of the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rehabilitation and Rescue, is one of the 10 finalists for Animal Planet's "Animal Hero of the Year". Please read her bio on the Animal Planet home page and support her with your vote by clicking here.

Topsail Island, NC - All we can say is, it’s about time! Our very own Jean Beasley is a finalist for Animal Planet’s Hero of the Year award.

Nominated by Martha Eggelston from the Wrightsville Beach turtle crew, Jean’s outstanding resume and her undying dedication to sea turtle conservation impressed an elite panel of judges who elevated her to their top ten. She’s always been a hero to us, and it’s nice to see her finally get some well-deserved recognition from people in high places.

(Beasley factoid #1: Jean was recently elected to the board of directors of The International Sea Turtle Society, a global organization where the best of the brightest minds dedicate their efforts to sea turtle conservation.

Beasley quote, “Being named a “Hero of the Year” finalist is a great honor, and more importantly, it validates our work and our commitment to our mission: rescue, rehabilitate and release.”

So what does it take to be a hero?

Most importantly passion, lit from a flame burning hot and bright.

Jean’s flame is her late daughter, Karen, who was determined, literally until her dying day to protect our sea turtles. Jean channeled her grief into resolve, continuing Karen’s beloved Topsail Turtle Project. Through Jean’s guidance the effort has grown from handful of beach walkers and nest sitters to a cast of hundreds. After transferring her knowledge of sea turtle reproduction, she then transferred the helm of this effort to Terry Meyer, our Director of Beach Operations.

But Jean still melts at the sight of a hatchling left behind due to injury or illness and makes room for them all at our hospital until they are strong enough to swim free.

Beasley factoid #2: In addition to whipping up a mean tomato & cucumber salad, Jean makes a nutritious hatchling mush and miniature fish balls.

Beasley quote, “I may be the face associated with these efforts but I represent all the volunteers who work 365 days a year to make this happen.”

But the challenge of watching over healthy mamas, incubating eggs and scurrying hatchlings was straightforward compared to the day in 1995 that a forty pound injured sea turtle was delivered into Jean’s arms.

“The plan” was to take it to the vet school at North Carolina State where it would be treated and spend time recuperating. That was the plan; it only sort of worked.

The turtle, named “Lucky” because the vet told Jean, “he was lucky that you found him”, was treated and then promptly returned to her for transport back to Topsail Island and for follow-up care.

Anybody got a spare bathtub? So a sick turtle with nowhere to go, and a good Samaritan with a discarded fiberglass tank in their back yard, were the humble beginnings of the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center.

Beasley factoid #3: Jean loves the smell of sea turtle garlic breath; it means the turtle has regained its health.

Beasley quote, “No one person can do this. We have 65 hospital volunteers and we need each and every one of them.”

“If you build it, they will come…”

But even before it was built, they came… those injured sea turtles.

So Karen’s wish to help the turtles was fulfilled when, with the help of her insurance money, the Sea Turtle Hospital opened at its current location in 1997. Now the turtles had a place to stay, but they poured through our doors lacking medical histories and instructions on their care and rehabilitation.

That’s when Jean and the volunteers began to write the book, so to speak. Little by little, turtle by turtle, Jean and the dedicated staff learned and documented every success, and the occasional failure, refining the protocols to maximize every patient’s chance at recovery and release.

Beasley factoid #4: The woman never eats. We suspect she’s adapted to somehow survive on squid fumes, and she keeps her electrolytes in balance by absorbing salt from the air around our patients tanks.

Beasley quote, “We’ll continue to do whatever it takes to stop the decline in the sea turtle population.”
 
Under Jean’s leadership, we have rehabilitated and released over 200 sea turtles. We’ve pioneered innovative ways of treating injuries, and have partnered with various medical specialists and marine organizations to constantly upgrade our standard of care. We offer internships of various lengths and intensities that have inspired many of our “alumni” to follow paths in medicine, marine research and conservation. We’ve welcomed thousands of you as guests each summer, opening our hospital to proudly show off the happy and healthy turtles ready for their second chance at life. (

Beasley factoid #5: An ex-educator, Jean LOVES researching and teaching. She’s a world-respected authority on sea turtle rehabilitation and conservation strategies, and a much requested keynote speaker.

Beasley quote, “Recent news reports of the decreasing number of sea turtles, particularly loggerheads should serve as a wake-up call to everyone throughout the world.”

With all our success comes growth and we’ve long ago outgrown the physical constraints of our small 900 square foot building. That’s why we’re working so hard to break ground on our new state-of-the-art hospital in Surf City and that $10,000 first prize would move us closer towards our goal. But we need your help, and the help of your family and friends. 

VOTE FOR JEAN as Animal Planet’s Hero of the Year.  Log on to the Animal Planet page at: http://animal.discovery.com/convergence/hero_of_the_year/poll/poll.html to cast your vote for Jean. Voting ends on October 8. Let’s put our hospital and Topsail Island on the map for all the right reasons!

Got fish?

We’ve admitted a slew of large, severely injured turtles in the past two weeks. They require lots of fresh fish to fuel their recovery. If you’re enjoying a day fishing from the pier, beach or your boat and find yourself with more than you can fry up we’ll gladly take it off your hands. Sea turtles aren’t terribly picky (well, some of them are) and we’re grateful for whatever you can deliver to our hospital. Call before coming: 910-328-3377. Somebody’s there every morning until at least 11 AM. Thanks!

Got medical supplies?
In addition to their nutrition needs, these turtles need treatment for missing flippers, carapaces sliced to pieces by propellers and deep, gaping head wounds. We are currently administering almost 20 shots per day and our stocks of needles and syringes have hit rock bottom.

If you can help us with 3 ml and 5 ml syringes, and 20 and 22 gauge needles, as well as Silverdine, triple antibiotic ointment and fluids (saline, saline with dextrose.) please call and/or stop by the hospital (910-328-3377) with whatever you can spare.

Flipper hugs!

Lobster Dinner and Auction almost here

When: Saturday, October 13.

Where: Assembly Building, Topsail Beach.

Time: 6-7 PM for complimentary wine & cheese, and viewing/bidding on silent auction items. Dinner starts at 7 PM, with our live auction beginning at dessert service.

What’s to Eat? A feast – a big, succulent 1-1/2 pound lobster, clams, potatoes, corn-on-the-cob, Jean’s famous cuke & tomato salad, rolls, a drink and dessert.

Tickets: $40, on sale now at: Topsail Area Chamber of Commerce, Quarter Moon Bookstore and Susan Billet (328-3261 or 330-2200.) This event sells out quickly, so don’t wait too long.

Auction Donations: Area businesses and individuals generously donate services and merchandise for our silent and live auctions every year. Your donation is tax deductible and very much appreciated. Please contact our donations coordinator, Susan Billet at 328-3261 or 330-2200 to make arrangements to participate in this auction.

The hospital is closed until June 2008

But weather permitting we will be open for limited tours during “Autumn with Topsail” in October. Visit us on line at: www.seaturtlehospital.org.

Report all sea turtle activity (strandings, hatchings) to Terry Meyer, Director of Beach Operations @ 910-470-2880.  Report sea turtles that are injured or in distress to Sea Turtle 911: 910-470-2800 (Jean) or 910-328-3377 (turtle hospital.)

Questions or comments?

E-mail me at: flippers@embarqmail.com.