Sea Turtles Have a New On-Line Home

Fans of Georgia sea turtles can now log on to the internet and keep track of recently discovered nesting sites. The web site will also help researchers manage the data collected daily from May to October each year. The site is a collaboration between the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources and the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission.

In a statement on the sea turtle.org website, a spokesperson for the group called the new Sea Turtle Nest Monitoring System "a revolution in sea turtle conservation and management."

Sea turtles are considered as either endangered or threatened under the federal Endangered Species Act. However, Georgia Department of Natural Resources officials are confident the nests are safe from overenthusiastic sightseers.

"More than anything, I believe that this database will allow people to see where the turtles are nesting. And, it goes a long way simply because many of the residents of coastal Georgia are somewhat competitive about which turtles nest on their beaches, so its kinda something they want to know. For researchers, I don't think that they're necessarily worried about people going out and disturbing the nests," says Christina Summers.

Researchers and sea turtle fans will be able to coordinate nesting data on-line in real-time for four species of sea turtles, along 710 miles of coastline between North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia for approximately 4,800 nests each year. To learn how many turtles have nested this season --- and where they are -– go on line to www.seaturtle.org.

Sea Turtles Go Wild

Eleven sea turtles are back in the wild after being released at the beach on Jekyll Island by the Georgia Sea Turtle Center. The Sea Turtle Center let the turtles go back to the ocean Wednesday after they recovered successfully from sickness and injuries. Nine of the turtles came from the New England Aquarium in Boston. They were sent to Georgia for release because of the warmer waters off the southern Atlantic coast.

(Associated Press)

Loggerheads rescued from 'cold stunning'

Two loggerhead turtles and one green sea turtle stranded along North Carolina's coast have been taken to the Georgia Sea Turtle Center on Jekyll Island for treatment and rehabilitation.

Dr. Terry Norton, director of the center, said Friday about 30 green turtles and a number of loggerheads washed up on the shoreline over a 3-day period. He said it happened after a cold weather snap caused them to become sluggish and immobile.

Norton said they were victims of a "cold stunning" event. He said the center is trying to get the body temperature up by three to four degrees a day.

Norton said the three will stay at the center through the winter.

Information from: The Brunswick News, http://www.thebrunswicknews.com

(AP)

Loggerhead turtle awaits release into wild

A loggerhead sea turtle raised by humans since it was a hatchling will be released into the wild today. Dylan the sea turtle found on Jekyll Island nearly 10 years ago has matured enough to head home into the Atlantic.

Veterinarians say the shell of the 150 pound loggerhead has grown enough to protect her in the wild.

Loggerhead sea turtle populations are declining on the coast and they could get endangered status if they’re further threatened.

Dylan’s life in captivity includes a residence at the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta. She has spent the last year at the Georgia Sea Turtle Center where she learned to hunt in preparation for her release.

Georgia coastal attraction getting footsteps

After one year, the Georgia Sea Turtle Center on Jekyll Island has already attracted 120,000 visitors.

The center's staff veterinarian, Terry Norton, says allowing people to get up close to turtles that have been harmed by boats, fishing nets and other human contraptions has helped send a strong message to visitors.