(Source: News24/SouthAfrica ) 

This is Kyle, age 7. She and her family were enjoying some time on the beach near Cape Town, South Africa when she found a baby loggerhead sea turtle on a rock looking limp. She alerted her family who sought help from locals. They directed the family to the local harbor staff, but no one was there to help. Kyle and her sister jade were determined to get their new found friend, that they named Rosie, got “to the turtle doctor”.  So the family called the National Sea Research Institute who, after verifying that Rosie was not willing to go back in the water,  were asked to bring the turtle to their facility in cape town.

Turns out Rosie was not alone. While she is notably the southern most stranding they had seen, she joined 178 other baby loggerhead sea turtles being cared for by the facility, most they have ever had. While the turtles normally go with the warmer currents that flow from their hatching place, stormy weather washed them into cold waters that they then tried to escape.

Thanks to the family’s efforts, Rosie is doing much better.  She and her new friends will be flown back to their hatching place to be released when the weather is better.

High five to go Kyle and Family for not giving up on Rosie.

Happy Belated Hatch Date to these ~100 Loggerhead Sea turtles, who hatched and made their way to the ocean last Friday night. The incredible event was seen live by viewers of the Florida Keys streaming “Turtle Cam” and, thankfully, recorded for the rest of us to see.

Bon Voyage, little ones!

Read more about the cool camera being used to protect the hatchlings below and click the link and check out on the Turtle Cam’s website. 

(Source: Fla-Keys.com TurtleCam)

Friday, July 25, about 100, 3-inch-long loggerhead sea turtle hatchlings made their way from the nest to the ocean’s edge just before 9 p.m. (ET)

Using infrared lighting, a live-streaming, high-definition “turtle webcam” positioned on a beach in the Florida Keys recorded the hatch.

The camera uses infrared lighting so hatchlings won’t be confused by artificial light and will go to sea – guided by moonlight reflecting on the water — instead of pushing further onto land.

The webcam is part of ongoing efforts in the Florida Keys to raise awareness of sea turtles and the need to protect them.

Loggerhead, green, leatherback, hawksbill and Kemp’s ridley sea turtles nest on beaches in the Florida Keys and other parts of Florida, or inhabit Florida and Keys waters. All five species are considered either threatened or endangered.

From mid-April through October each year, these turtles crawl ashore at night to dig their nests and lay eggs. A female turtle typically lays about 100 eggs and covers them with sand before returning to the water, leaving the nest alone.

Approximately two months later, the hatchlings struggle free of the nest and rush toward the sea, guided by moonlight reflecting off open water.

Any artificial light, including flashlights and flash cameras, can disturb and disorient the turtles, interrupting the natural process. Laws prohibit people from touching or disturbing hatchlings, nests and nesting turtles.

Thanks to the hard work of The SC Aquarium Sea Turtle Hospital, Briar the loggerhead #SeaTurtle has recovered and is back in the ocean where she belongs! Showing off that gorgeous shell I’m sure. 

(Source: Moultrienews.com)

Over a year ago, Briar the loggerhead sea turtle was found covered in barnacles, stranded on the coast of Myrtle Beach. Extremely underweight and anemic, it was soon discovered she had cataracts and surgery would have to be done to remove her damaged eye lenses. Her survival was questionable.

Now, Briar is wading through the ocean. She has returned home.

After making a full recovery at the South Carolina Aquarium’s Sea Turtle Hospital, Briar was released back into the Atlantic Ocean off of the Isle of Palms shores on Wednesday. Residents of all ages came with signs, shouts and cameras to bid farewell and capture snapshots of the sea turtle as she crawled her way into high tide. For many attendees, this was their first time attending a public sea turtle release, let alone witnessing a live sea turtle.

“It was really unique … I was doing it to bring the kids, and it was kind of long waiting for it, but it was worth it,” said Kayla Hall, a first-timer for the turtle release.

She was stunned by Briar’s size, comparing it to that of a dinosaur.

Kate Dittloff of South Carolina Aquarium’s Sea Turtle Hospital described Briar’s support from the community as extremely heartwarming.

“For some reason, everyone has some sort of connection to sea turtles,” Dittloff said while smiling.

“It’s not every day that you get to see a sea turtle in person, especially if you’re just visiting the Charleston area. We really hope they walk away with a greater appreciation to protect our oceans.”

Loggerhead sea turtles have remained under close surveillance since being deemed threatened under the Endangered Species Act of 1978.

With their nesting season underway, efforts to ensure their safety are being made as frequently as possible.

If you find a sick or injured sea turtle, contact the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources Sea Turtle Hotline at 800-922-5431. Donations can be made to the South Carolina Aquarium Sea Turtle Rescue Program at the website at www.scaquarium.org.

With admirable efforts on Briar’s behalf, the community can ensure, as one child stated, that the rehabilitated loggerhead has returned home and “won’t be coming back.”

TortTime

Thought I’d start the week with another incredible, inspirational, and dare I say stylish, happy ending for a sea turtle

(via Brevard Times)

COCOA BEACH, Florida — A surfer came to the rescue of a loggerhead sea turtle that was tangled in fishing lines just south of the Cocoa Beach Pier this afternoon.

The turtle’s flippers were so entangled that it could be seen gasping for air from the ocean’s surface as it struggled to free itself from the mono-filament.

Seeing the marine reptile in distress, a nearby surfer paddled over to help the sea turtle while risking a possible bite from the animal. Loggerhead sea turtles have a bite force so powerful, that they can easily tear through a conch shell – a mainstay of the turtle’s diet.

After a few minutes, the surfer had completely untangled the sea turtle and it swam away. Having done his good deed for the day, the surfer then just casually caught the next incoming wave.

Loggerhead sea turtles are listed as an endangered species under the Endangered Species Act.

(Source: http://www.youtube.com/)

Thought I’d start the week with another incredible, inspirational, and dare I say stylish, happy ending for a sea turtle

(via Brevard Times)

COCOA BEACH, Florida — A surfer came to the rescue of a loggerhead sea turtle that was tangled in fishing lines just south of the Cocoa Beach Pier this afternoon.

The turtle’s flippers were so entangled that it could be seen gasping for air from the ocean’s surface as it struggled to free itself from the mono-filament.

Seeing the marine reptile in distress, a nearby surfer paddled over to help the sea turtle while risking a possible bite from the animal. Loggerhead sea turtles have a bite force so powerful, that they can easily tear through a conch shell – a mainstay of the turtle’s diet.

After a few minutes, the surfer had completely untangled the sea turtle and it swam away. Having done his good deed for the day, the surfer then just casually caught the next incoming wave.

Loggerhead sea turtles are listed as an endangered species under the Endangered Species Act.

TortTime



Congrats Brewster! Welcome back to new england and, more so. welcome back to the ocean! Have a great swim! 

“Brewster” was one of 15 loggerhead sea turtles the Loggerhead Marinelife Center in Jupiter received from Cape Cod several months ago. The turtle was released back into the ocean on Wednesday.

(Source: http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/)