Nettie - "I Didn't do it!"

You’re saying – heck, yeah! We used to think we were, too, and most of the time we are. But we’ve learned that if one of our patients gets fixated on something they can get pretty resourceful. Their natural playground is basically without boundaries; they go where they want, when they want. But once they check into our hospital the accommodations change drastically. Sure, they’re given clean, warm water, nutritious food and whatever medications they need. But there’s a trade-off: having to share your “space,” something no self-respecting sea turtle would willingly agree to in the open ocean (with the exception of dating season!)

As our building fills up with new admits, the tank sizes are adjusted to make room for everyone. That’s why a three-foot turtle can often end up in a four-foot tank, spending all of its free time thinking up ways to amuse itself.

Or get even with us.

A recurring theme of Loggerhead revenge is, “let’s drain this 400-gallon tank and see what happens.” By carefully observing the ins and outs of water, (literally), they conclude that if they can just get the water to go out faster than it comes in, somebody will pay attention to them.

To a bored Loggerhead, any kind of attention is good. They never seem to tire of the panicked look on our faces when we find them wallowing in just a few inches of water. They give you those big, innocent turtle eyes but we know they did it.

They twisted, unscrewed and pulled on the exhaust pipe until they broke it loose. Scrunched up against the wall of their tank, they snicker loudly while we scramble to repair the damage. “Nelson” upped the game, swimming around with the pipe in her mouth. She held it for ransom until we bought it back from her for a few pieces of squid. "Nelson" undoubtedly holds the record for “total amount of water drained by a sea turtle in rehab.”

Speaking of food, the way to a sea turtle’s heart really is through their stomach. But their way to mess with our head, (and our heart), is by refusing to eat. It can happen for legitimate reasons: illness, ingestion of foreign materials or an injury that impairs swallowing. Or it can occur because one day they just decide they don’t like what’s being served. Or, (heaven forbid), they actually find the vitamin we hid in it. If you think it’s tough to get a toddler to eat, try getting a sulking turtle to eat something they don’t want.

You can’t make them sit in the corner until they finish their peas - they don’t really eat peas - but the Greens do like broccoli! You’re forced into playing games with them, feeding them one piece at a time, telling them how yummy the shrimp looks today. At the same time, they’re finding that the shrimp really are yummy, they’re also finding the vitamin you hid in it and spitting it back in your face. You just know that they’ll never trust a piece of shrimp again!

We’ve been known to drag squid through the water to make it look like it’s swimming. We’ve spent lots of time in the kitchen stuffing tiny squid tails with itty-bitty pieces of fish just to get some calcium into some of our ultra-fussy Kemp’s Ridleys. The things we do for endangered species – and love.

So the bottom line is, even though we’ve had no success at all in ever training so much as one sea turtle to do anything, they’re masters at training us.

To our “Deputy (Beach) Dogs”

Our Topsail Turtle Project beach walkers and coordinators are running their flippers off but they’re not complaining. If only somebody could master the art of being in two places at one time, (we think Jean is getting close.) Until then we’re really happy to report that more and more of our Topsail Island visitors are keeping their eyes peeled for, and finding, turtle tracks. Vacationers and summer guests have called in quite a few nesting sites. Our gratitude goes out to all of you for your critical contribution to our conservation efforts.

Keep track of the Topsail nesting season on our website: www.seaturtlehospital.org. Please report all sea turtle activity (nestings, strandings, injured turtles or hatchings) to our Director of Beach Operations, Terry Meyer @ 910-470-2880.

Come face-to-face with a sea turtle

Visit our patients at the hospital during our summer open house. Open every day, (except Wednesday and Sunday), from 2 – 4 PM. Early arrival is encouraged if you don’t like lines. The gift shop is also open during those hours and you can find lots of turtle stuff, much of it exclusive to our operation. The hospital is subject to closure without notice, (but usually for only a short period of time), for incoming turtles and/or dangerous weather conditions.

For more info: 910-328-3377.

Turtle Talks – the legend grows

Join the multitudes that can now answer Jeopardy questions in the “Sea Turtles” category, thanks to our weekly turtle talks. These fun and informative sessions are held every Wednesday through Labor Day. The one-hour presentation, 3:45 – 4:45 PM includes lots of hands-on materials to introduce you to the enigmatic world of sea turtles. Visuals and handouts are appropriate for ages K-adult, and bring your camera to get some great shots of your kids or yourself.

The site is the Surf City Community Center, JH Batts Rd. (off Rt. 210 between Docksider and Gilligans.) Admission is free but donations for our turtles are appreciated. Please leave food and drinks in the car.

For more information call the hospital at: 910-328-3377.

Got the goods?

It doesn’t seem possible but our annual Labor Day Yard Sale is breathing down our necks. In just a few short weeks, we’ll be set up to accept donations for this much anticipated blow-out of bargains. Just put your gently used items aside for us until then. Because of space limitations we cannot accept clothing, (but shoes and accessories are fine), computers, large appliances or mattresses.

Contact Vickie Duncan at 910-328-1688 to volunteer to help or for more information.

Questions, comments or suggestions for stories
Contact me at: flippers@embarqmail.com.