Sea Turtle Survivors

On Saturday, Christina and I went to Main Beach in Fernandina to witness the release of 3 sea turtles who had been rehabilitated at the Georgia Sea Turtle Hospital on Jekyll Island, GA.

As you can see, we were not the only ones! There was an aisle formed all the way up the beach, made of people who all wanted to see the turtles.

Dr. Norton carried the first green turtle, the one that we rescued back in March! (see previous post for her story).
This little girl is another Green Sea Turtle.

This is a rare Kemp's Ridley sea turtle, not often seen on Florida beaches.

The Sea Turtle Center staff carried the three turtles out past the breakers, as far as they could go without swimming. The turtles started flapping around, clearly excited by the sight and smell of the ocean! After a minute, all three were set free and swam out into the sea. I was so proud of all three turtles, especially the one we found on our beach at Amelia Island Plantation, because she was presumed dead by several beach-goers (even me at first!) Truly a survivor!

If you are near Jekyll Island, stop by the Georgia Sea Turtle Center for educational displays and to visit recovering sea turtles and even watch as the vets check out the patients!

And, while you are on vacation on Amelia Island, call or stop by the nature center to sign up for one of our Moonrise Beach Walks. Explore the beach at night, see how a sea turtle nest is marked and possibly even spot a mama turtle while she's laying her eggs!