This is the Cape Hatteras research vessel operated jointly by UNC and Duke University. The captain of the boat had kindly agreed to transport and release a rehabilitated loggerhead turtle out to warmer waters near the Gulf Stream. The turtle, a juvenile loggerhead, was found cold-stunned in mid-December near Cape Lookout Bight in North Carolina. The turtle was transferred to the temporary location of Pine Knoll Shores Aquarium whose permanent location is being refurbished and expanded. At the aquarium facility, the turtle received several weeks of gradually warmer water and feeding that helped bring the loggerhead back up to what appeared to be a normal healthy condition. Just be be sure, we asked Dr. Craig Harms of the NCSU College of Veterinary Medicine to give the turtle a check-up.

From left to right in the photo is Stuart May (head of Husbandry at the PKS Aquarium), Wendy Cluse (sea turtle biologist with the NC Wildlife Resources Commission), and Dr. Craig Harms. A simple blood sample revealed that the total solids and packed cell volume values were within the normal range, and we all agreed that it would be better for this turtle to be back out in the ocean sooner rather than later. The next step was to bring the turtle over to the Duke Marine Lab, where Catherine McClellan (PhD student) had arranged for the turtle to be transferred to the Cape Hatteras boat for eventual release into warmer waters near the Gulf Stream. In the end, we had to run out in a smaller boat to transfer the turtle to the Cape Hatteras that was waiting near the Ft. Macon Coast Guard Station. It was a quick fun ride, plus we got to see some dolphins in Taylor's Creek on our return. Some 10 hours later, we heard that the loggerhead had been successfully released in warmer water near the Gulf Stream (see map below). Another success story to which many different collaborators contributed.