|
Sea Turtle Hospital offers refuge for injured turtles
By Holly Fisher
Supplements Editor
This summer, the South Carolina Aquarium is focused on the sea turtle. And with loggerhead nesting season in full swing, the aquarium is working to educate the public about how it can protect turtles.
On display at the aquarium are books, jewelry and a picture frame made from turtles. Jason Crichton, director of husbandry & facilities, said these objects, while beautiful, are problematic for the turtles.
“It creates a demand that the sea turtle population cannot support,” he said.
He hopes the display will make people think twice about purchasing items made from turtles.
Crichton calls the turtles on display at the aquarium “ambassadors for the species.” A 250-pound loggerhead, Caretta, swims in the Great Ocean Tank. Visitors also can see a much smaller 2-year-old turtle that was rescued from Folly Beach.
A new addition is a live video feed from the Sea Turtle Hospital. Although not open to the public, visitors will have the chance to see the inner workings of the hospital, which is gearing up for a busy summer season as more turtles are injured by boats or while trying to lay eggs on the beach.
The aquarium’s hospital has returned more than 20 rehabilitated turtles to the wild.
“Our goal is to put ourselves out of business,” Crichton said. “Our goal for the turtle is to do just the minimum to get them over the hump. We’re not here to make them perfect. We want them here the least amount of time possible.”
In early June, only one sea turtle was recuperating at the hospital. Named St. Simon, because she was found near St. Simons Island, Ga., the turtle has been at the hospital about a year. Two months ago, the staff discovered a small tumor behind her left eye. An upcoming ultrasound will reveal whether the tumor has grown.
If the tumor is smaller or the same size, St. Simon will be released into the wild, Crichton said. If it has grown, the staff will face a tough decision about how involved to become in the turtle’s health.
On a personal level, the staff wants to do all it can to save the turtles, he said.
“These animals mean everything to us. We have a deep passion for the animals,” Crichton said. “But we also know the best thing for the turtle is to get her out there and laying eggs.”
It’s a delicate balance between saving and rehabilitating the turtles without disrupting nature and the natural life cycle, Crichton said.
In addition to the local sea turtle hospital, North Carolina has a similar facility and Florida has several. Crichton said there is a tremendous need for this type of work.
As the coastal population continues to grow, the turtles face more threats, especially from boats.
“Know you are on their turf,” Crichton said. “Take it easy; you don’t need to do 120 miles per hour. Turtles have huge, strong shells. And if you’re not doing Mach 3, they will hear you coming and get out the way.”
Holly Fisher is supplements editor for the Business Journal E-mail her at hfisher@charlestonbusiness.com.
|
E-Mail This Article
Printer-Friendly Version