At Ocean Isle Beach and several other nearby beaches we are lucky to have volunteers who look after, care for, and help our sea turtles, even in the most dire of circumstances. The story below is written by a member of our local Ocean Isle Beach Sea Turtle Protection Organization detailing a rescue attempt. Some visitors sculpted this beautiful Sea Turtle on Ocean Isle to show appreciation for the turtles and their volunteers.
Deb and Jim Boyce received a call from a visitor to Ocean Isle Beach. Deb and Jim are the Island Coordinators for the Ocean Isle Beach Sea Turtle Protection Organization (OIBSTPO). The visitor reported that a large sea turtle was floundering in the surf at the Lumberton access on the East end of the island. Deb immediately called the volunteers who had signed up for stranding duty, including transport and necropsy. She then dropped Jim off at the storage shed to get the John Deere Gator, an ATV that the OIBSTPO uses to patrol the beach. Jim wanted the Gator at the site “just in case” the turtle was large. Linda Stackhouse, Marcia Heady and Neal Wyckoff were already at the stranding site. The turtle was still in the surf and the tide was coming in. And yes, the turtle was large…at least 300 pounds!
Upon examination, the group noted that both front flippers were missing and the turtle had a very deep gash in its head that went from its nose to just behind the right eye. Somehow, it was still alive. The beach visitors who had gathered at the site enthusiastically offered to help. Six large, strapping guys lifted the turtle and, with the guidance of Linda, Neal, and Marcia, carefully placed it in the bed of the Gator. The wounds appeared to be fresh and most likely were caused by a boat strike earlier in the day. With Neal riding shotgun in the back of the Gator with the turtle, they took it to the storage shed for transfer to the van. Upon arrival, Neal took the hose and gently sprayed the turtle with fresh water to cool it down. As they were trying to come up with the best way to transfer the big turtle to the van, two gentlemen appeared seemingly out of nowhere and offered to help. With their help, the turtle transfer was accomplished. Marcia, Deb, and Jim jumped in the van with the turtle and began their trip. Linda and Neal stayed in Ocean Isle Beach and cleaned up the Gator.
Normally, an injured sea turtle would be driven to The Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center at Topsail. However, due to the extent of this turtle’s injuries, the group was on its way to transfer the turtle to Sarah Finn. Sarah is the Sea Turtle Stranding Coordinator for the NC Sea Turtle Project run by the NC Wildlife Resources Commission. Sarah planned to take the injured turtle to a veterinarian in Beaufort who was standing by to examine it. The hope was that the turtle might be a candidate for prosthesis (artificial front flippers).
The Ocean Isle group met Sarah in Leland. Once again, they considered how to transfer the big turtle. Marcia approached a couple of guys who were talking next to their truck in the parking lot and convinced them to come over and help. With their help, the transfer from the van to Sarah’s State vehicle was completed.
Jim later noted that, in situations like this, every effort or task is equally important. He would like to extend a special “thank you and well done” to the rescue volunteers, beach visitors, residents, and complete strangers who assisted with the turtle. It appears that there are a lot of people who sincerely care about defenseless animals and will go out of their way to help them.
Deb and Jim would like to also thank the Town of Ocean Isle Beach for providing an environment and atmosphere that attract the type of caring visitors who were so eager to help this injured turtle. Visitors and residents are always there to help whenever needed. Thanks also to the OIB Maintenance Department; you are always there to help when help is needed.
Epilogue: Sarah stopped at the sea turtle hospital in Topsail where the injured turtle received heavy doses of pain killers to help it relax. When Sarah and the turtle arrived in Beaufort, the vet examined him and sadly determined that he had to euthanize the injured animal. It was a sad ending, but not all that unusual. Many stranded sea turtles that are rescued do not survive. But some do, and this is what the OIBSTPO and other sea turtle protection organizations are all about.
*Note: Remember these important rules and help keep our sea turtles safe!
1. Avoid disturbing a turtle that is crawling to or from the ocean. Do not crowd or attempt to ride a turtle. Do not shine lights or take flash photos of the turtle. Stay off the turtle tracks. Sit quietly in the dark, at a distance, to watch her. It is against the law to disturb her and/or her nest in any way.
2. Stay clear of turtle nests. Avoid walking or riding vehicles near the nest. Stay off the turtle tracks. Do not disturb markers or screens that may be protecting the nests. Markers usually consist of wooden stakes outlined with bright tape or ribbon.
3. Keep your lights off. Lights disturb nesting turtles and hatchlings. Please turn off your outdoor lights and shield indoor lights from shining on the beach at night. We ask the cooperation of all beach front house renters, owners, businesses, and hotels to turn off beach lights during nesting and hatching season from May to late October. Allow hatchlings to make their way safely to the ocean. Do not touch the hatchlings. Keeping hatchlings is illegal.
4. Don’t Litter. Pick up and place ALL trash in barrels. Fill in sand castles, trenches, and holes before leaving the beach. Do not leave your canopy, umbrella, or chairs on the beach overnight. These all present dangers and can cause death to turtles and their hatchlings. Avoid using flashlights, fireworks, or flash photography while on the beach at night. It is against Federal and State Laws to touch or disturb nesting sea turtles, hatchlings, or nests. If you are a smoker, to avoid cigarette littering on our beach, please take a portable ash tray/butt tin with you. Don’t forget a butt bin can be as simple as an empty film canister or breath mint container!
