'Turtle People' Come To The Rescue, Again
Cold-stunned sea turtle, Cape Cod MA (credit: New England Aquarium)
Our Journal maintains an keen interest in those self-identified folks, collectively known as the 'turtle people'. They arrive when called upon to help rescue cold-stunned or stranded sea turtles along the East Coast, Florida, the Gulf Coast, and the beaches of south Texas.
Cold-stunning happens when atypical cold ocean waters occur due to temperatures anomalies. In one instance, the Massachusetts Audubon Society issued an early sea turtle alert warning people to lookout for stranded turtles on local Cape Cod beaches during a period of cold weather. The turtle people turned out in droves to gather young turtles that were stranded on the shores. Many were the endangered Kemp's Ridley. The turtles were taken to the New England Aquarium for rehabilitation. They are later released back into their marine habitats when fully recovered.
The National Park Service and local volunteers have also been called into service whenever stunned sea turtles appear along the beaches in south Texas, including Padre Island national seashore.
Rescued, cold-stunned, sea turtles, Padre Island, TX (credit: National Park Service)
Beachgoers, fisherman, and wildlife biologists recently collaborated to rescue young turtles during the severe cold that affected much of Texas. Even Elon Musk's SpaceX venture joined in a recent rescue situation on Padre Island coordinated by Sea Turtle, Inc., a commercial rescue and educational organization. One of the largest turtles saved from drowning in the cold water was given the name Falcon Heavy after the Company's huge rocket.
A report on the Texas efforts showcase the work required to help the rescued turtles. Compassion takes many forms but it is definitely on display when the 'turtle people' show up again. WHB