The world according to me....

As water temperatures are quite cool off of the North Carolina coast in these winter months (especially in the northern part of the state), it is a challenge to release rehabilitated turtles in suitable conditions. Fortunately, the crew-members of the R/V Cape Hatteras are willing and able to transport sea turtles out to the Gulf Stream for release into warmer waters (see previous blog here). Such was the case in mid January, when a large loggerhead (221 lbs) and a medium-large green turtle (100lbs) were ready to be released from the rehab center run by NEST and the Roanoke Island Aquarium. A day before the scheduled release, I drove to the rehab center to pick up the turtles and bring them back to Beaufort where the R/V Cape Hatteras is normally docked. The turtles spent the night in my truck - covered with dry towels and kept warm (but not hot) with a small space heater pointed to the ceiling of the cab. The following morning, Wendy and I met at the dock for transfer of the turtles to the boat a little bit before the 9am boat departure. John Ahern, one of the crew and prinicipal faciliatator for the turtle releases, met us there and helped move the turtles on-board. The boat's destination was Bermuda and the plan was to release the turtles in or close to the Gulf Stream. Here are photos of the turtles on-board, in their plastic tubs, awaiting the boats departure.

Now that they are happily swimming in the ocean, the NEST rehab center was able to rest a little bit and clean up in anticipation of future live stranded turtles. The break was short-lived: I just heard today that a new small green was recovered on Cape Hatteras and brought in for rehab. Soon it will be time to arrange a release for that turtle (and two other small turtles still there also).