By Karen Sota

We love every turtle that comes to us for care and hopefully a second chance. But right now a sizable adult loggerhead lady has stolen our hearts.

“Titanite” was rescued from a research pound net on July 15th and it was immediately apparent that she had been the victim of a brutal shark attack, and a fairly recent one at that. She was missing a portion of her right front flipper, had large bite marks in her neck and it looked like she had lost one of her “toes.” Her carapace was bitten through, but luckily it was near the edge and the bite did not penetrate the coelomic wall where the organs are located. And her eye looked like it had a possible laceration. She was a tragic sight.

After being settled in a shallow tank in Sick Bay Titanite began what looked to be a long period of recovery with intensive and frequent hands-on care by our staff. Obviously she was in pain, especially around her neck, and would give us the side-eye when we approached that area. She was kept as comfortable as possible with pain medication and her wounds were treated with a variety of topical and injectable meds to prevent infection and facilitate healing.

Titanite was not able to go on to our recirculating water system in Turtle Bay until she had gone through quarantine, so for her first six weeks her water had to be changed up to five times a day. She received treatment for three of those water changes, including flushing with saline and betadine, a honey soak on the wounds and application of SSD. And we still had a problem where her flipper was bitten off – there was a portion of the bone sticking out that needed to be surgically addressed – but not until she was stabilized.

Thankfully she was a good eater, and thankfully not a picky one like our Kemp’s tend to be. She was happy with whole mackerel until apparently word had gotten to her that if there was something about the breakfast preparation not to her liking we would be happy to accommodate her. She started biting off the heads and spitting them out on the bottom of her tank. Now her 3,000 grams of mackerel arrives sans heads. It doesn’t take long for them to train us. 

Several weeks ago, Dr. Harms and his class of 4th year vet students arrived and Titanite was scheduled for her surgery. The protruding bone was carefully trimmed back and the wound was stitched and then bandaged with a compression bandage to minimize bleeding. Her other wounds were debrided and were showing signs of healthy tissue repair. She was placed back in her tank and back on meds for pain and infection. It wasn’t long before she was swimming around probably wondering what that thing was on her flipper. She was eating and back to her new normal of hands-on treatments the next day. Her progress has been astounding.

Titanite has relocated to Sea Turtle Bay in a large tank with recirculating water to facilitate her healing and minimize handling by our staff. And our water guru, Tina has installed a “waterfall” that she can rest under for a quick nap or carapace massage. Titanite is currently being treated once a day and still insisting on headless mackeral. You can see her from a distance from our observation ramp when you come to visit us.
 
We’ve now on our fall tour days and hours, and we still have patients waiting for your visit. There are major renovations scheduled for late fall, so be sure to buy your tickets soon before we close. Our hospital matriarch “Snooki” is eagerly anticipating the arrival and installation of her new fifteen-foot tank, complete with a window!

Please keep an eye out for any sea turtle activity on the beaches or in the water. As the nests continue to hatch it’s possible you’ll find a hatchling that’s gone astray. Carefully pick it up and put it in a small container with some sand and a very small amount of water - barely cover the flippers. It’s important that the little critter does not bake in the sun, or sit exposed to the elements/predators when we get these unexpected night temperature drops into the 50’s. Then call our Director of Beach Operations, Terry Meyer at: 910-470-2880. Calls to her number after hours will automatically be forwarded to her for action. You may also call the hospital during operating hours: 910-329-0222. We will take the information and one of our area coordinators will meet you to retrieve the hatchling and refer it to us for follow-up. Terry is also the contact for any sick, injured or pier-hooked turtle. The State of NC turtle hotline for strandings picks up 24/7 at 252-241-7367. Remember that interfering with or harassing federally protected sea turtles in any way makes you subject to steep fines and possible imprisonment. Our work with sea turtles, at the hospital and on the beach, is authorized by the NC Wildlife Resources Commission, ES Permit 23ST05.

We are fortunate once again to have 8 students from UNC-Wilmington with us for the next few months. Let's meet them:

Hello my name is Kailynn and I am a senior at UNCW majoring in biology with a minor in assistance in dog training. I am from Apex, North Carolina and moved down here for college. I absolutely love all animals and wanted to learn more information and hands on experience with marine life! I am currently working as a vet assistant, and I am hoping to go to vet school!

 Athena - I am a junior at UNCW majoring in Biology and minoring in Marine Biology. I am from a small town called Jefferson, North Carolina. Which is close to the beautiful New River and Blue Ridge Parkway, growing up surrounded by nature and wildlife. This summer I worked at the New River State Park as a park attendant. I hope to find another summer job either in a state park again or at a national park but to be on the coast or on Saint John, USVI. I have a deep love for protecting wildlife and our environment. Although this internship isn’t related to my career goals, I am so happy to be doing this type of work as my personal passion. After having experienced this amazing opportunity, I hope to continue volunteering to help sea turtles. "

Hailee - I am from the Outer Banks, NC. I am currently a junior at UNCW with a Biology major, concentrating in Pre-Veterinary Medicine with a minor in Assistance Dog Training. Coming from a beach town, I am very familiar with the ocean and its marine life. As such, working as an intern for KBSTRRC felt like the perfect fit for me! I have always loved sea turtles, and working with them now is such a privilege. This experience will be especially helpful in determining what kind of veterinarian I want to become. 

Jena - I am currently a senior at UNCW and am from Hillsborough, New Jersey. I will be graduating this spring with a BS in marine biology with a concentration in conservation. I have always wanted to work in rescue and rehabilitation and am so grateful to have this experience at KBSTRRC! I can’t wait to learn more about the care and conservation of sea turtles through this internship and hope I continue to do so in my future career.
 
Phoebe - I am from Jacksonville, NC and I am a senior at UNCW. I am majoring in biology and minoring in chemistry. I was excited to learn about this opportunity and I am so grateful to be chosen as one of the interns this semester. As an aspiring veterinarian, I look forward to being able to work with the sea turtles so I can diversify my experience and help the animals as well. 

Matt - I am from Cary NC, and currently a senior at UNCW for a degree in marine biology. I have always been around the water and it's exciting to be turning that hobby into a possible career. KBSTRRC is such an awesome opportunity to be hands on with the turtles and I am learning so much. Sea turtles are such amazing animals and I feel very lucky to be a part of this great crew!

Kira - "I am from Asheville, North Carolina and I am a second semester junior at UNCW. I am a marine biology major with a conservation concentration. My plan is to continue with school after completing my undergrad and getting both my master's degree and PHD in marine biology. I would like to use my schooling and this internship to obtain a job that allows to me to work with these animals in my career and making the ocean a safer place for them. I am so happy to be an intern at the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Hospital and getting to work with these beautiful creatures to help spread awareness."

Kayleen - I’m from Jacksonville, NC and currently I am majoring in Marine Biology with a concentration in Marine Conservation. Throughout my life I have always been traveling and gaining new experiences. While living in Nicaragua I was able to help a rehabilitation center release sea turtle hatchlings and this experience was a major influence in pursuing my degree. I graduate this semester and plan on continuing to gain experience within marine conservation so hopefully one day I can work with a facility just like this one. I’m thankful to have the opportunity to be an intern here since I will be able to have hands on experience with endangered species and share the importance of conserving them to the public. 

With 692 registrants, Saturday's 2023 Surf to Sound 5K was our largest yet! It was a beautiful day for running, sunny and not too hot. Participants enjoyed gorgeous views of the Intercoastal Waterway and the Atlantic Ocean as they traversed the Surf City Bridge. Best of all, participants and sponsors raised $14,931 to help sea turtles at KBSTRRC! Wow!

Thank you to everyone who ran, walked, rolled, or strolled. Thank you to all the volunteers who helped. Thank you to race timer Go Time. A special thanks to Race Director James Worsham, Meredith Worsham, and the organizing committee.

The Surf to Sound 5K would not be possible without the generosity of local sponsors. We are grateful to the following local businesses for their generous support.

Title Sponsors:
Carolina Coast Contracting
Coastal Carolina Real Estate
Jackie & Jeff James

Packet Pick-Up Sponsor:
Salty Turtle Beer Co.

Sponsors:
Hardees
Nautical Bowls
Rising Tide Fitness
Sandy Toes

This year, we are celebrating the 25th Anniversary of the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center's legal incorporation as a nonprofit organization. For most of our history, interns have been critical to our success. In fact, "to provide an experiential learning site for students of biology, wildlife conservation, and/or veterinary medicine from around the world" is written into our Mission Statement. So who are these intrepid interns that are making up our 25th Anniversary summer team? In their own words, here they are.

Hi! My name is Mason (lead) and I recently graduated from the University of North Carolina Greensboro with a degree in Biology with a concentration in Environmental Sciences. Throughout my life, I have always been drawn to all things in the natural world, but I rarely had the opportunity to delve into nature as much as I would have liked. I spent seven years volunteering at my local aquarium, where I would help take care of dozens of different species, but I always knew I would want to extend that knowledge further into the natural landscapes. When I started performing research in wetlands during my undergraduate education, I saw just how interconnected the natural world was and this sparked my wonder for how other ecosystems function as well. After taking multiple classes in marine biology and sea turtle conservation, I learned just how critical sea turtles are to the health of several important ecosystems. Then, I had the honor of visiting KBSTRRC with my class and I fell in love with the sea turtles and what the hospital stood for. Once my instructor told me that there is an internship working with these magnificent creatures for the summer, there was no doubt in my mind that I knew it was something I wanted to pursue. I hope to utilize all that I learn this summer as I go on to explore the wonders of coastal ecosystems and follow my aspiration to work in habitat restoration.

Hey, my name is Aishah. I’m from Atlanta, Georgia and attended the University of Georgia. I majored in marine biology and minored in ecology. I’ve always had a special interest in marine life growing up in Indonesia. I have dedicated myself to conservation volunteering in my local community stream cleanup. I hope to become a field researcher studying behavioral ecology in marine invertebrates. The KBSTRRC has shown me a different side of conservation caring for individual animals instead of the entire ecosystem.

Hello, my name is Annika and I am originally from Joplin, Missouri. After graduating high school, I moved to Pittsburg, Kansas to complete a bachelor's of science degree at Pittsburg State University with an emphasis on wildlife ecology and a minor in music. Fall 2023 will be my last semester before graduating in December. After finishing at Pitt State, I plan to enroll in a Veterinary Technician program so that I can continue exploring the medical aspect of wildlife conservation in a professional setting. My goal is to work in marine mammal rehabilitation, specifically with seals. I have always had a love for marine life and through my previous experience with birds, seals, dolphins, and sea turtles I have discovered my passion to conserve, protect, and care for our oceans. When I learned of the KBSTRRC internship, I knew it was something that aligned with my future plans and would provide me with valuable hands on experience in sea turtle care. I am excited to see what the rest of the summer holds!

Hi! My name is Autumn and I am a junior at Saint Francis University studying Aquarium and Zoo Science and a double major in Psychological Sciences. I’m also minoring in Biological Diving, American Sign Language and Animal Assisted Health and Education. I grew up in upstate New York about 30 minutes north of Syracuse. I didn’t have much experience with marine life, but I would visit the Wilmington area and Estero, Florida where I would see marine life. I had not heard about KBSTRRC until summer of 2022 and then when I visited in the Fall I fell in love with the place and the mission they have. I decided about 3 years ago that I wanted to do sea turtle rehabilitation. Moving forward I would like to work in marine rehabilitation but hopefully I can work in sea turtle rehabilitation. I am super excited to have this opportunity to pursue my dream career with these amazing people at my side:)

Hi!  My name is Chloe, and I’m from Northern Kentucky. I am entering my senior year at the University of Louisville, Kentucky. I have an Individualized Major, comprised of concentrations in Art, Biology, Sustainability, and Environmental Sciences. I am pursuing a career in wildlife rehabilitation and conservation. Throughout my previous experience working with animals, there has been a strong emphasis on education and the importance of this in wildlife conservation.  Encouraging the general public to connect with animals and their stories through education is what inspired my interest in this kind of work at a young age, along with so many others! Helping animals and seeing visitors resonate with the hospital’s message is incredibly rewarding. Through my internship with the KBSTRRC, I have found a career that blends the conservation education that I find so important and the wildlife rehabilitation work that I love!  I am thankful and excited to be part of the Summer 2023 intern team!