April 16, 2010
Michelle Coats, APR, CPRC
Community Information Specialist
Onshore winds
send sick sea turtles to Marine Science Center
High onshore winds are driving sick sea turtles onto Volusia County
beaches, where they are being picked up and delivered to the
county’s Marine Science Center (MSC) for care. Since April 8, 16 sea
turtles have been brought to the MSC, including 10 juvenile green
sea turtles, five sub-adult loggerhead sea turtles and one adult
female loggerhead.
“Sea turtles normally aren’t seen on the beach at this time of the
year,” said Michelle Bauer, sea turtle rehabilitation specialist.
“If you see one, it’s most likely in trouble. These turtles are very
sick and wouldn’t have survived if the winds had not blown them
onshore.”
If you see an injured sea turtle, please call the Florida Wildlife
Commission at 888/404-FWCC (3922) or the Volusia County Beach Patrol
at 386/239-6484 or 386/756-7491.
Coincidentally, Turtle Day is scheduled at the MSC from 10 a.m. - 3
p.m. Saturday, April 17. Turtle Day is an annual celebration of bird
and turtle rehabilitation. This year’s event will culminate with the
release of a sub-adult loggerhead sea turtle named Nestle at 3 p.m.
at Winter Haven Park, 4589 S. Atlantic Ave., Ponce Inlet. The
release is subject to change due to the turtle’s health or
environmental condition.
The MSC needs laundry detergent, bleach, towels and sheets to care
for the influx of sea turtles. Donations may be dropped off at the
MSC, 100 Lighthouse Drive, Ponce Inlet. Additional financial and
material support may be made through the nonprofit group, Friends of
the Marine Science Center.
