Whether viewing a young hatchling or a 200-pound adult loggerhead at the center, sea turtles fascinate us, awaken our curiosity, and connect us to nature. Learning about each of the GSTC’s patients, guests develop a new understanding and appreciation of sea turtles. More important, guests have the unique portunity to fully understand the stories of individual sea turtles at the center and get closer to these endangered animals than they might otherwise. After all, there just aren’t many sea turtles swimming around Kansas.

As visitors leave, they often feel like they’ve made a special connection with a new friend. One of the other questions we are frequently asked at the Center is “How can I help?” With the holidays upon us and the spirit of giving in the air, people are looking for special gifts to give their loved ones. The Georgia Sea Turtle Center can help in that department as donations, center memberships, items from its gift shop, and the ever-popular Adopt-a-Sea-Turtle program put smiles on faces of those who give and receive, knowing that their gifts support the GSTC in helping endangered sea turtles survive for future generations. And if sea turtles could smile, they probably would as well!

PATIENT OF THE MONTH

Caton, a sub-adult loggerhead turtle, arrived this past summer after being rescued by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources from nearby Blackbeard Island. Stranded on the beach and too weak to move, Caton was brought to Georgia Sea Turtle Center where she was tested and treated. Happily, Caton recovered very nicely. With her release back into the wild only days away, staff began to notice that something wasn’t right with her behavior. Fortunately, Dr. Norton diagnosed the problem and her condition once again improved. Unfortunately, the ocean became too cold while she recovered for her to be safely released. So, we are graced by the presence of this active loggerhead until next spring when she can be returned to her ocean home.

See More Online at www.georgiaseaturtlecenter.org

Tags: Caton the sea turtle, Georgia Sea Turtle Center, sea turtles, sea turtles jekyll island, volunteering georgia sea turtle center

This entry was posted on Wednesday, December 2nd, 2009 at 2:16 pm and is filed under Beachscape, December 2009, Diversions, Nature Connection. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.