GUIDEPOSTS
Turtle Patrol Update:
Week Four
In addition to locating (and relocating nests), the turtle patrol rescued a mama loggerhead who was stuck in the marsh.
As of Thursday June 5, there are 477 nests in Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge on Cape and Lighthouse Islands.
*All activity conducted with loggerhead sea turtles is done under state and federal permits (MTP-563)
The Cape Romain Turtle Patrol quickly collected data from a mama loggerhead sea turtle after rescuing her from the marsh. Under the guidance of Sea Turtle Field Tech Abigail S. King (permitted stranding response team member MTP-563) the team was able to initiate the live stranding protocols authorized by SCDNR and USFWS such as documenting the turtle’s length and width, noting any physical abnormalities, and circumstances of the encounter.
Three Hour Stranded Turtle Rescue
While monitoring the shoreline for crawls, the Sea Turtle Patrol saw tracks going into the marsh, but no return tracks. In the middle of the marsh, they saw a shell submerged in the water and began their response. Using a turtle sling, the ATV and the help of six people, they freed her from the thick pluff mud and got her back to the beach. From the reports, she was a stubborn gal, and it took three hours to get her back to the ocean.
This is the second stranded turtle rescue in one week.
Why is this happening? Cape Romain NWR Sea Turtle Field Tech AK King reports that due to the damage that has occurred to these outer islands, there isn’t a dune system to keep them from going the wrong way after they lay their eggs. If they become disoriented and end up on the marshy side of the island, it can be nearly impossible for them to make it back to the ocean side of the island. Female loggerheads can weigh up to 400 pounds and only exit the ocean a few times a year to lay eggs and return- they aren’t agile on land.
If you come across a distressed sea turtle this summer, call the SCDNR Hotline at 1 (800) 922-5431.
Interns Update
The Coastal Expeditions Foundation Interns- Kai, Juanita and Parker- have settled into their jobs in Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge and assisted with over 150 nests that were located in the last week!
This week, they began branching out into ecotourism by working shifts on the Bulls Island Ferry to learn about interfacing with the public to connect people with nature. Under leadership from Coastal Expeditions senior guides like Nick Johnson, Abbi Cochran, Tayt Stafford and Annie Owen, they are learning about being a mate on the community’s connection to their National Wildlife Refuge.
Interns Juanita and Kai on the Turtle Patrol ATV
A friend to ALL reptiles, CEF Intern Kai Hudson helped a diamondback terrapin back to the beach that was in the road.
During a nest relocation, Intern Parker Pound found a set of embryos that didn’t separate when they were laid.
Coming Up
Don’t miss out on the summer fundraisers! We’re offering two expeditions into Cape Romain NWR and 100% of the proceeds will go directly to pay the seasonal salaries of the technicians and interns that make this program go.
The Beach Drop for Sea Turtles is a family-friendly trip to the north end of Bulls Island for an ecotour and nesting demonstration. We’ve added a kids rate this year, so gather your family and come on out for loggerheads!
And new this year: Sunrise for Sea Turtles. This “morning in the life” of the sea turtle team leaves before dawn to head out to Bulls Island. Led by Capt. Chris Crolley, it’s a chance to walk the low-tide shoreline of a wild barrier island at dawn to look for loggerhead tracks and nests along the beach. Only 30 spots available for this one, y’all.
