The Georgia Sea Turtle Center Update
Monday, April 28th, 2008Adopt a Turtle!
The Georgia Sea Turtle Center is proud to announce the long awaited Adopt-a-Turtle Program! With your donation of $50 or more, you can adopt one of our sea turtle patients. Current patients and already released patients with satellite transmitters are eligible for adoption. When adopting a turtle, you will receive an official certificate of adoption, a letter from your sea turtle, a 5 x 7 photo of your sea turtle, weekly updates from the Georgia Sea Turtle Center, and you name will appear as an adoptive parent on the Georgia Sea Turtle Center website. If you chose to adopt a current patient, you also have the opportunity to be a VIP at the release of your adopted turtle!
Join Us for Turtle Tales with Miss USA
Turtle Tales is offered on Saturdays at 10:30am and is FREE with general admission! There are so many books about sea turtles, it’s hard to choose! Our Turtle Tales program will introduce you to the many children’s books about sea turtles. This program involves a turtle-inspired book reading and craft for children of all ages. There will be a different book and craft each month. And yes, you can purchase the books in our Gift Shop! Join us in May as we read another turtle-ific tale. Special guest Miss USA will join us on May 17 to read this special tale.
Turtle Tours Night Walks
Explore the beach at night, and learn about the amazing journey of the loggerhead sea turtles nesting along the Georgia Coast. These popular programs begin with a 30-45 minute presentation at the Georgia Sea Turtle Center about the natural history of sea turtles, followed by a guided beach tour (participants must provide their own transportation from the Georgia Sea Turtle Center to the beach)
Turtle walks will be conducted June 1 – July 31 (Walks will not be conducted on July 4) with two nightly programs every day (8:30 and 9:30 P.M.). Depending on the nesting season, the concluding date may vary. Reservations are required as group size is limited by DNR permit restrictions and programs nearly always sell out many days in advance. Participants will have a limited amount of time to briefly explore the Exhibit Gallery before their presentation begins, but the hospital area will not be accessible.
Cost: $10 adults (13+), $5 children (ages 4-12)
Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Due to the time and nature of these walks, we require children to be at least 4 years of age.
For the safety of the turtles, flashlights, camera and video camera lights are not allowed on the Walks. Night vision cameras are allowed. Walk Guides will have a special, turtle-friendly, approved flashlight.
Behind the Scenes
Ever wonder what it feels like to be on the other side of the Treatment Window? Wish you could get a closer look at the patients, off of the pavilion walkway? You’re in luck. The Georgia Sea Turtle Center is pleased to offer behind-the-scenes tours. Guests will visit food preparation areas, animal holding areas, and the treatment, X-ray and Surgery Rooms. Come join us for a closer look at the Georgia Sea Turtle Center from the other side of the Treatment Window.
Tours are conducted on Saturdays and Sundays at 2 P.M. and are offered on a first come first served basis,–Reservations are required. Call early or sign up in the Gift Shop- Group size is limited to 10 guests. (912-635-4444) Cost: $25/Adults - $15/Children (Must be at least 10 years of age). Price includes admission.
Sea Turtle Release
The Georgia Sea Turtle Center will be saying farewell to one of their patients. Spitfire will be released on the Jekyll Island Beach Saturday, May 3, at 2:00 p.m. Spitfire’s release will take place on the same day as Nest Fest and the Turtle Crawl Triathlon. Enjoy the fun as the Center celebrates the beginning of turtle nesting season and bids Spitfire goodbye!
The 2008 Wild Amelia Nature Festival, May 16-18, is an exciting and memorable way for residents and visitors to experience the wild side of Florida’s Amelia Island. The three-day festival offers something for everyone, with more than 25 seminars and outdoor experiences designed to showcase the natural beauty and wonder of the popular barrier island destination. The Georgia Sea Turtle Center will be exhibiting at this event and also releasing Vida!
Terrapin Crossing on Jekyll Island
The diamondback terrapin is a salt marsh turtle commonly found along the Georgia coast including in the marshes surrounding Jekyll Island. Every year, from early May to July, female terrapins, venture to the causeway in search of high grounds on which to lay their eggs. Unfortunately, hundreds are injured and killed by motor vehicles on the causeways leading to Jekyll Island. Please watching out for our turtle guests while driving on the Jekyll Island Causeway entering the island!
