photo by Greg Adams
Celebrating World Oceans Day with Rhonda at
Shellbelle's Tiki Hut
Sea turtles are so beautiful. They are charismatic but they are also threatened and endangered. So if you are a big sea turtle fan, you need to come visit the beautiful beaches of North Carolina and make a special trip to Topsail Island, NC to visit The Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center. The center is a nonprofit organization staffed by volunteers to help save sea turtles.
The sea turtles come in with many injuries such as hooks, propeller injuries from boaters, exposure to cold weather during winter months, etc. There are usually anywhere from 10-20 sea turtles at the center at all times. They are treated medically, given lots of TLC and when restored to health they are released back to the sea.
It takes many people each day to keep the center running smoothly. It is often difficult and hot work, not to mention dirty and smelly. However, the rewards are plentiful. To see the look in the turtles eyes as they are eager and able to return to the sea. What an incredible group of volunteers!
If you have ever visited the beaches of North Caroina in the summer you have probably seen where volunteers have roped off the nests of the sea turtles to protect the eggs from beach goers.
In North Carolina the nesting season is mid-May through August.The Loggerhead Sea Turtle comes ashore to nest 3 to 5 times during a nesting year. She deposits an average of 120 eggs per nest. The eggs will incubate in the sand for about 60 days then they begin their journey to the sea.
The center is located at 822 Carolina Avenue, Topsail Beach. Visiting hours are 2:00 - 4:00 pm every day except Sunday and Wednesday.
A rehabilitated sea turtle is released back to the sea.
Make a donation or Adopt a Sea Turtle Today!
9 comments:
I saw turtles hatch for the 1st time last year. It was the most amazing site I have ever seen. Happy WOD 2011.
Take good care,
Karen
What amazing photos...especially that last one! I would love to visit this place in NC! I wrote my post on sea turtles this morning, too! Happy World Oceans day! ♥
The turtles are gorgeous. On one hand it is really sad that these animals get injured because of human activities..., but there are lots of good people out there who really care. And that is a beautiful thing.
Happy Oceans Day, Carol!!
Happy Oceans Day!! What a great post. Love the photos of the turtles especially the last one of the babies running into the sea. I think they are so awesome. I love it when I am out in the ocean and see one...it is always so random and unexpected.
Wonderful photos! With all the beachcombing I do, and all the turtles' nests I see, I have yet to see hatchlings...Hopefully one day...
I enjoyed hearing about the turtle rescue center and all the good work it does. Great pictures too.
Happy World Oceans Day.
Lindsay
I love sea turtles and wish I lived closer to help, what an amazing experience and incredible people.
Thank you for sharing.
What Karen didn't tell you in her comment, was that while the babies were trying to make it safely to the water in broad daylight, she and another woman were chasing off the gulls that were trying to have them for lunch! She was a real turtle hero that day and is everyday for our ocean.
Thank you so much for joining us for World Oceans Day and telling us about the turtle rescue operation up there.
Happy World Oceans Day, today and each day throughout the year!
awesome!!
beautiful post!!
(i am now following your beautiful blog)
warmest sandy hugs..
Loui♥
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