<![CDATA[The Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center - News]]>Fri, 07 Aug 2026 21:25:51 -0400EditMySite<![CDATA[Custom Surfboard helps raise funds for cold-stunned turtles!]]>Sun, 01 Mar 2026 05:00:00 GMThttps://www.seaturtlehospital.org/news/custom-surfboard-helps-raise-funds-for-cold-stunned-turtlesPicture
*** UPDATE 6/1/26: Congratulations to D.C. from New York for winning the surfboard!
And thank you to everyone who purchased a ticket to help. 

KehalaFL heard our story about Radish and other cold-stunned sea turtles, and wanted to help. They designed beautiful artwork depicting the world resting on the carapace of a sea turtle. Then, they worked with Nomad Surf Shop to produce a one-of-a-kind custom surfboard. You can help by purchasing a ticket for a chance to win this stunning "World Turtle" surfboard. Every purchase helps raise funds to purchase a specialized veterinary intensive care unit that serves as an incubator to help warm cold-stunned sea turtles.


]]><![CDATA[You Can Help Warm Cold-Stunned Turtles Like Radish!]]>Tue, 02 Dec 2025 05:00:00 GMThttps://www.seaturtlehospital.org/news/you-can-help-warm-cold-stunned-turtles-like-radishPicture
Cold and alone, the young sea turtle floated helplessly in the Intracoastal Waterway. With overnight temperatures dipping down below freezing, the water was much too cold for this small turtle. 

Thankfully, kind humans rescued the turtle - now named Radish - from the chilly water and brought her to the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center. Upon arrival, Radish was cold, lethargic, and covered in barnacles. Our rehabilitation team immediately sprang into action to help.
HELP WARM COLD-STUNNED TURTLES!
Picture
When Radish arrived, she was alarmingly cold. The first step was taking a core body temperature, which revealed that the turtle was only 53 degrees Fahrenheit! She was suffering from "cold-stunning," a severe form of hypothermia that impacts sea turtles.
Bringing the turtle inside our 75 degree sea turtle hospital would have been too dangerous. So, the team donned hats and sweatshirts and continued the admission examination outdoors.

We weighed and measured Radish, then carefully examined her eyes, nares (nostrils), carapace (top shell), plastron (bottom shell), and flippers. We took a blood sample and ran diagnostics. Based on the blood values, our veterinarian prescribed fluids with electrolytes and extra vitamins. We carefully administered those subcutaneously (under the skin). Then, it was time for Radish to rest for the night.
Picture
Unfortunately, our Isolation Ward, which can be chilled to 61 degrees, was still too warm. Cold-stunned turtles must be slowly warmed over several days. We placed the turtle in the only place cold enough - a protected but unheated storage room - for several hours before moving her to a shallow tub in Iso.

Over the next several days, we warmed Radish gradually. Finally by Monday morning, she was at temperature - a toasty 75 degrees - and ready to be moved to Sick Bay for ongoing care. Throughout, we continued to treat her with fluids. We gently removed the barnacles from her face, and started giving her access to deeper water for short periods of time.
HELP BUY A TURTLE ICU!
Picture
Radish is on the road to recovery, but what about the next cold-stunned turtle? This Giving Tuesday, we are raising funds to purchase a specialized veterinary intensive care unit. This piece of equipment is able to maintain the low temperatures at which we see cold-stunned turtles, so we can warm them gradually.

YOU can help! Did you know that 57% of the sea turtles we admit to the KBSTRRC's sea turtle hospital are cold-stunned? While some arrive already warmed to temperature, others -like Radish - need to be warmed gradually. Your tax-deductible, Year End gift will help purchase a specialized veterinary ICU that will save turtles for years to come. On behalf of Radish, thank you!

UPDATE: Radish was successfully rehabilitated, then released back to the ocean in an offshore release on January 13, 2026. Thank you for helping Radish! 
DONATE TO HELP TURTLES LIKE RADISH!
]]><![CDATA[Snooki Finds Forever Home!]]>Fri, 03 Oct 2025 04:00:00 GMThttps://www.seaturtlehospital.org/news/snooki-finds-forever-homePicture
*** UPDATE 10/27/25: Snooki has moved to her forever home and is doing well!

Splash On, Snooki!

It's an exciting time around here: Snooki has a forever home! We are pleased to announce that she will be moving to the Minnesota Zoo at the end of October! 

Snooki will be housed in the Zoo's 250,000 gallon Atlantic Reef exhibit, a tank 50 times larger than her current pool! There, she'll have lots of fish friends to keep her company. 
Picture
Snooki's Story

Snooki stranded in September 2016 in Cape May, New Jersey. She was rescued and triaged by the Marine Mammal Stranding Center, then transferred to the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center in October 2015 for further evaluation and treatment. Once she arrived, it became obvious that she was positively buoyant. A CT scan revealed fractures to her upper spine, likely caused by some sort of blunt force trauma. We attempted a number of procedures and surgeries, but sadly nothing could resolve the damage.

Unable to dive, Snooki could never be returned to the wild. We turned our attention to finding her a forever home. And now, the Minnesota Zoo has stepped up!  
Picture
Splash On with Snooki during October!

Visit! There's still time to visit Snooki during one of our public tours. While you're here, get a free Snooki sticker and sign her banner that will accompany her to Minnesota. We're open Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays through the end of October. Click Here for more information and do book tickets.

Adopt! Symbolically adopt Snooki and help fund her journey to Minnesota! Free Snooki sticker included. Adoptions at the $100 and $250 level will also receive a limited edition Snooki pin (while supplies last). All Snooki adoptions during October will go towards the Snooki Travel Fund. Click Here for more information and to adopt.

Buy a Snooki T-Shirt! Buy a limited edition Splash On, Snooki t-shirt or sweatshirt! All proceeds will help fund Snooki's journey. Click Here for styles and colors, and to purchase.

Donate! Contribute to Snooki's Travel Fund directly and help her get to Minnesota! All donations greater than $100 will receive a free, limited edition Snooki pin (while supplies last). When you donate, feel free to leave a message for or about Snooki! Click Here to donate securely online. 

Thank You and Flipper Hugs, from Snooki!  
]]><![CDATA[2025 Surf to Sound 5K]]>Fri, 05 Sep 2025 04:00:00 GMThttps://www.seaturtlehospital.org/news/2025-surf-to-sound-5kPicture
*** UPDATE 11/1/25: This event has ended. Please join us in 2026!

Saturday, October 25, 2025
Join us for the 5th Annual Surf to Sound 5K and Run for the Turtles! 

Whether you’re an experienced runner, an occasional jogger, or simply looking for a fun walk across the Surf City Bridge, the Surf to Sound 5K is the perfect event to celebrate the landscape, businesses and community that make up Hampstead, Topsail Island, and Surf City. Event proceeds benefit the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center.

Starting in Soundside Park, participants will head across the Surf City Bridge and back to the island, while taking in the Topsail Sound and views of the Atlantic Ocean for 3.1 miles.

Hurry up or take your time, but don’t miss the Surf to Sound 5k this fall!

Click Here for more information and to register.

Flipper hugs to our generous sponsors! When you visit these fine businesses, please extend your thanks for their support of the turtles and KBSTRRC.

Title Sponsor:
Jackie & Jeff James

Platinum Turtle Sponsor:
WMJV The Wave 99.5

Bronze Turtle Sponsor:
Margherita Pizza Co.

Other Sponsors:
Carolina Coast Contracting
Coastal Carolina Real Estate
Fleet Feet, Wilmington
]]><![CDATA[2025 Haunted Hundred!]]>Mon, 01 Sep 2025 04:00:00 GMThttps://www.seaturtlehospital.org/news/2025-haunted-hundredPicture
*** Update 11/1/25: This event has ended. Please join us in 2026!

Sunday, October 26, 2025
Join us for the 5th Annual Haunted Hundred and Cycle for the Turtles!

Hosted by Salty Turtle Cycling Club, event proceeds benefit the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center. There are two routes, one at 100k and one at 50k. Both routes start at the Salty Turtle Beer Company and end with a pass over the Surf City bridge after a trek on Topsail Island. You'll end at the Salty Turtle Beer Company for a celebratory post-ride event at The Cove, located next door. Fully stocked aid stations and SAG support along the route.

Click Here for more information. Registration is CLOSED!

A huge thank you and flipper high fives to our generous sponsors! When you visit these businesses, please thank them for supporting the Haunted Hundred, the Salty Turtle Cycling Club, and the KBSTRRC.

Platinum Sponsors:
Island Real Estate
Lighthouse Engineering  
Riccobene Associates Family Dentistry
Salty Turtle Beer Company
The Daily Grind
WMJV The Wave 99.5

Gold Sponsors:
East Coast Sports
Herrings Outdoor Sports

Silver Sponsors:
Burrito Shak, Surf City
Hidden Ships Distillery
Kaemmer Law Firm, PLLC
nCino
Nicole Robinson Photography
Topail Surf and Cycle

Bronze Sponsors:
Becky's Coral Cottage Boutique
Coastal Fitness
Cowfin Restaurant
Golden Cobra Tattoo Club
James Hardy Coastal Art
Lori's Ace Hardware
North Shore Golf Club
Sound Machining
]]>