Regularly scheduled turtle feeding sessions include informative discussions about resident turtles’ dietary needs, healthcare routines and likelihood of release back into the deep blue sea.
Thanks to the big glass observation window that spans one side of the treatment room, visitors can watch veterinary specialists providing gentle, hands-on care to their sea turtle patients. Diagnosis of inpatient turtles might involve physical exams, x-ray studies and blood tests. Treatments can include use of vitamins and special nutritional protocols, fluid administration, tube feedings, prescription medications, or surgery—as indicated by each turtle’s specific health issues. Outside the main exhibit hall, a separate wood frame structure houses therapeutic pools, an apparent maze of white plastic pipes, and various supplies and equipment needed for rehabilitation and skilled treatment. Convalescing turtles are well cared for in spacious climate-controlled pools with meticulously balanced water quality, according to individual needs. Regularly scheduled turtle feeding sessions include lively expert-led discussions about resident turtles’ dietary requirements, healthcare routines, and the likelihood of their release into the deep blue sea. Whenever possible, the long-range therapeutic goal is to return rehabilitated turtles back to the ocean. When we visited the center we met Marimba, a recovering sea turtle who was rescued from the Mid-Atlantic Chesapeake Bay after suffering severe injuries and illness. Statistics concerning the survival of turtles like Marimba are sobering. Sea turtles of all ages are at risk of harm from infectious diseases, pollution, hypothermia,
and boat strike injuries. Nevertheless, the Jekyll center’s success rates are commendable. Since 2007, thanks to intensive efforts to enhance sea turtles’ prospects to survive and thrive, center staffers have managed to rehabilitate and release a total of 235 Kemp’s ridleys, 228 greens and 294 loggerheads back into the ocean. The fascinating details of sea turtles’ challenging life stories are certainly well presented at Jekyll Island’s outstanding sea turtle shelter.
Top quality interactive exhibits educate and engage adults as well as children.
Rehabilitating turtles are well cared for in spacious climate-controlled pools.
THREE AWESOME SOUTHERN AQUARIUMS
COAST TO COAST MAGAZINE SUMMER 2023 | 24
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