Caring Hands for Kiawah

"We've got a stranded loggerhead," came the word from Kiawah Island on March 28, 2009.

Rushing to the scene were Joe Pezzullo and other members of the Kiawah Island Turtle Patrol. The juvenile loggerhead first appeared dead, but then it moved. Quickly, the Sea Turtle Hospital of the South Carolina Aquarium was contacted. The sea turtle was moved to the hospital and was now in the caring hands of Kelly Thorvalson, Sea Turtle Rescue Program Coordinator, and the other staff and volunteers.

Named for the location at which it was found, "Kiawah", the young loggerhead was diagnosed with hypoglycemia and dehydration. The barnacles on its body indicated the prolonged state of lethargy the turtle had experienced.

Pezzullo said, "We got it at the right time." Pezzullo has been part of the Kiawah Island Turtle Patrol since 1996 and has been approved by the state for strandings since 1998. "Most stranded sea turtles don't make it," he said.

On July 26, the day of "Kiawah's" release back to the ocean from the beach on Kiawah Island, there were 119 loggerhead nests on the island. Seven nests had already hatched and Pezzullo was looking forward to the peak time of nests hatching.

"A very small number of hatchlings make it," Pezzullo commented. Pezzullo recalled several years ago someone from the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources told him that the low survival was nature's way. Otherwise, the ocean would be full of nothing but sea turtles with no resources available for other species.

"Kiawah" had gained sufficient weight for the release July 26. Weighing in at about 100 pounds, "Kiawah" and the two Kemp's ridley sea turtles release was witnessed by over 500 spectators.

"Kiawah" was escorted home by interns Courtney Boggs and Sarah Dale. After carrying the turtle for several feet and putting it gently down on the sand, the loggerhead would raise its head, look around, sniff, and then start the journey to the sea. Dale, with a smile on her face, commented the loggerhead was heavy during the walk. Both Boggs and Dale agreed it was great to have the honor of escorting it home.

As each turtle was released, the crowd cheered and clapped.

Standing proudly at the side of "Kiawah" as the aquarium staff prepared for the release, Pezzullo said, "It gives me great satisfaction."

Indeed.

Sandy Toes
Goes to Kiawah

This is the second in a series written by Sandy Toes as she spent time this summer learning more about sea turtles. Look for more articles and videos soon.

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Preparing for a Sea Turtle Release with the South Carolina Aquarium

It was a beautiful day at Kiawah Island in South Carolina on July 26. There was hardly a cloud in the sky as teams of yellow shirt volunteers swarmed Beachwalker County Park. They were there to prepare for the release of three sea turtles who had been patients at the Sea Turtle Hospital at the South Carolina Aquarium in Charleston.

The excitement began to build as those playing and sunning on the beach realized they were about to witness this special event. For over an hour, over 500 people stood quietly as they waited for the arrival of the honored guests. Volunteers generously spent time talking to the crowd and answering questions about turtle rescues and nests.

Finally, the arrival of Wadmalaw, Kiawah, and Winyah created a flurry of activity and much cheering.

Wadmalaw, a Kemp's ridley, had been a patient for over two years after being caught by a fisherman.

A loggerhead, Kiawah, was lucky. She was found in March 2009 with low blood sugar and was quickly rehabilitated.

The third release, a spunky Kemp's ridley named Winyah, had been found comatose after being caught in a shrimp net last September.

Thank you volunteers and staff of the South Carolina Aquarium. This was truly a rare treat!

See you later,

Sandy Toes

Editor's Note: This is the first in a series about the recent sea turtle release. Be sure to stay tuned as Sandy Toes reveals her impressions on the release of the turtles, comments from volunteers, a special donation by a young Canadian, and a tour of the Sea Turtle Hospital.

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Sandy Toes Goes on the Scene with Sea Turtles Series

Can you identify this gorgeous sea turtle?

This adorable 97 pound or so Loggerhead is currently a patient at the Sea Turtle Hospital at the South Carolina Aquarium in Charleston and has a remarkable story to share.

Join Sandy Toes on recent adventures with the South Carolina Aquarium in July as three sea turtles were released and for a private tour of the Sea Turtle Hospital at the aquarium in Charleston.

See you soon!
Sandy Toes


Editor's Note: Our own Sandy Toes was invited to join the South Carolina Aquarium on Kiawah Island for the recent sea turtle release and to spend time at the hospital with Sea Turtle Rescue Program Coordinator Kelly Thorvalson. After our staff can pull our eyes off the wonderful videos, we'll be releasing several short videos and articles so our readers can also learn more about these amazing animals.

Many thanks to Kelly for her generous time talking about the program and each turtle.


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Bald Eaglets Released Into Foothills of Great Smokies Named By Miley & Billy Ray Cyrus

BUSINESS WIRE --Two 14-week old bald eaglets named “Hope” and “Tennessee” by Hannah Montana TV stars Miley Cyrus and her father Billy Ray were released by the non-profit American Eagle Foundation (AEF) from an artificial nesting tower located on Douglas Lake in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains. A group of Miley’s fans was on hand to help set the eagles free.

“The birds flew majestically while discovering their newfound freedom right after the nesting tower door was opened by several of Miley’s East Tennessee fans,” said AEF founder and President Al Cecere. “This is yet another step in our efforts to fully bring back eagles to our nation’s lands, waterways and skies."

The young eagles named by the Cyruses were hatched from non-releasable parents earlier this spring at the AEF’s United States Eagle Center at the Dollywood family adventure park in Pigeon Forge, TN. Five other captive-hatched eaglets were also released.

A song titled “Wake Up America” appears on Miley’s new record album (“Breakout”) that expresses the singer’s feelings about protecting our Earth and America’s natural resources:

The Earth is calling out

I wanna learn

What it's all about

Everything I read

Is global warming,

Going green

Wake up America

We're all in this together

It's our home

So let's take care of it

To date, 313 captive-hatched and translocated bald eaglets have been released in Tennessee since the early 1980s - with 95 eaglets released at the Douglas Lake location.

There are presently an estimated 77 successful wild nests in Tennessee that fledged about 135 young last year. The state had no known occupied eagle nests in the early 1980s.

“Although the bald eagle was delisted from Endangered Species Act protection in June 2007, America’s living symbol isn’t out of the woods yet,” said Cecere. “The bird’s fight for future survival will be an on-going process."

According to the AEF, it will cost millions of dollars to monitor and protect eagle nests on private lands nationally for the remainder of this decade and beyond.

The conservation group hopes to raise an initial $10 million from the general public for its American Eagle Fund endowment by 2009 - to help monitor and protect the bald eagle for future generations.

A special United States Mint commemorative eagle coin set that went on sale in January 2008 has already raised over $6 million for the Fund, and could potentially raise over $10 million by the end of the year with the public’s support (www.usmint.gov). The coins celebrate the eagle’s successful recovery to America.

“It’s the responsibility of every American to participate in keeping this precious national treasure flying strong and free forever,” said Cecere.