 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
0 Comments
 Jakob, Justin, Jordan, Annika, Autumn, James, Chloe, Preston, Mason (lead), Hope 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! I'm Hope, and I'm from Greensboro, North Carolina, and I am an alumnus of UNCG and received my degree in Biology and a minor in Information Technology. However, my yearning and curiosity of animal’s pushed me to pursue wildlife conservation and rehabilitation. I took a sea turtle class at UNCG, and we visited the a couple of times during our semester; after seeing the hospital's positive effects on its sea turtle population, it inspired me to apply for this internship. I'm ecstatic about this opportunity. I'm excited about everything I will learn from the turtles and the people here. After my time at the hospital I hope to continue gaining experience rehabbing and conserving animals around the world to prompt my higher education. Hello, my name is Jakob. I am from Stoughton, Massachusetts and I am currently a graduate student from Unity College. For years, I have had an interest in working with marine mammals and rehabilitating them. So ever since middle school I have been working towards a career in that specific field. As such I am pursuing a Master’s in Marine Science with the Conservation of Marine Mammals track for the graduate program. While my focus is on marine mammals, I have a passion for working with all animals. Interning at Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center is currently the closest thing to what I want to do for my life, and I believe it is the next step for my career. Hi my name is James. I am from Garner NC. I am going into my senior year at UNC Wilmington. I am majoring in Marine Biology and minoring in Music. As a kid I always knew I would work with animals when I got older. At first I wanted to be a veterinarian for domestic animals, but I was later introduced to what a cuttlefish was and I was hooked. My fascination for cuttlefish and other cephalopods sparked my interest into becoming a marine biologist. While I am still interested in cephalopods I wanted to do something that would involve me being hands on with marine animals. Even though I am torn between conservation of sea turtles and doing research on cephalopods I am honored to be interning with the KBSTRRC this summer. Hey! My name is Jordan and I was born and raised in Chicago, but spend most of my time in Columbus, Ohio where I’m studying Zoology at The Ohio State University. I’ve always been interested in animals but have a specific curiosity with large mammals, which probably comes with growing up in such a big city where I rarely saw them. After working with various shelters and at the accredited John G. Shedd Aquarium at 16, I became interested in conservation as a serious career path. After I graduate in a couple of years, I want to go into rehabilitation specifically as it relates to human impact and wildlife crime, and use behavioral research to make strides in transitioning large numbers of animals from captivity back to their homes in the wild. I'm Justin and I am from Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina! Currently a senior at the University of Miami double majoring in Marine Science and Biology. Sea turtles have always been a passion of mine for as long as I can remember, and ever since I was sea turtle camper back in high school I knew that I wanted to work at the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Hospital one day. So, being able to be an intern this summer is a dream come true. I plan on using this incredible opportunity to aid in my goal of becoming a sea turtle researcher using skeletochronology techniques to learn more about sea turtle foraging patterns, diet and behavior, to further advance conservation efforts of these magnificent creatures. My name is Preston, and I am from Wilmington, NC. I recently graduated from Rhodes College with a B.A. in business and a minor in history, where I also played men’s lacrosse. I am attending UNC-Wilmington this fall to finish my prerequisites for veterinary school. Animal care has been a passion of mine since working at the Eastern Carolina Veterinary Referral and volunteering at the Memphis Zoo. This is my first time working with marine life, but I enjoy it a lot. Helping animals with different medical needs makes the whole experience worthwhile and I am incredibly thankful to be a part of an organization that actively helps sea turtles in need and rehabilitates them until they are able to be released.  Jakob, Preston, Hope, Justin, Annika, James, Jordan, Chloe, Autumn, Mason (lead), Aishah  Snooki all wrapped up! By Karen Sota We’re open for tours! After several months devoted to caring for cold-stuns plus the patients over wintering with us we’re happy to be able to welcome visitors again. During the month of March we’ll be open on Fridays and Saturdays from 11 AM – 2 PM. You will still need to purchase tour tickets in advance through our website www.seaturtlehospital.org. but you can visit the gift shop during those hours without taking the tour. We’ve spent the winter sourcing an incredible array of new items, along with the favorites in the latest colors. And of course, our adoption desk is always open when we are. With every March adoption you will receive a free copy of our inaugural hospital calendar featuring our very photogenic patients. The really exciting news for our visitors is that Snooki is once again in the big house, Sea Turtle Bay! After several months vacationing in the therapy pool in Sick Bay while we completed our Turtle Bay renovations and her tank was out for restoration she’s back. Since she’s been with us her time has been spent toward the back of the big house where it was almost impossible to see just how enormous and beautiful she is. Snooki now has a position of honor right up front next to the railing. Moving a turtle that weighs almost three-hundred fifty pounds was quite a process and took the entire team. Luckily, she likes and trusts “her people” and tried to cooperate as much as she could. She’s not real keen on being restrained in any way but after circling round and round to check out her bright yellow “Snooki Sling” she finally relented and let us guide her into position. Once snugly wrapped it took a village to lift her out of the therapy pool and settle her onto our turtle taxi for a ride. This zaftig lady never moved an inch as she rolled down the hall and into position in front of her tank, where she was hoisted to the edge on a board and unwrapped. It didn’t take her long to slip into her old home, enjoying the extra room and sparkling water. Just a word of warning to our visitors: Snooki likes to splash and fling water (lots of it!) with her ginormous flippers, usually to attract attention. Or maybe it’s just her way of showing love. You decide. Although cold-stun season is coming to an end please continue to keep an eye out for possible victims. If you see a turtle that has washed up on the beach or in our marshy areas or is in the water floating motionlessly don’t assume it is dead. They literally can’t move, maybe not even blink. Whether the turtle is big or small immediately call our Director of Beach Operations, Terry Meyer at: 910-470-2880. If she is not available, call the hospital during operating hours: 910-329- 0222. If the turtle is below the high tide line and in danger of washing out move it above the high tide line if you can do so safely. Ideally you should remain with the turtle until our trained volunteers arrive to retrieve it. If that is not possible find a way to indicate the location of the turtle on the beach by drawing large arrows in the sand or placing beach debris nearby. The State of NC hotline for stranded, sick and injured turtles is 252-241-7367. The state number picks up 24/7. All conservation work for endangered sea turtles at KBSTRRC and on Topsail Island is authorized by the NC Wildlife Resources Commission, ES Permit 23ST05.  Snooki Back In The Big House!  We have once again welcomed 10 interns from UNC-Wilmington. They will spend their Saturdays learning about turtle care and husbandry as well as practicing their communication skills by teaching the public about sea turtles.
Let's meet our interns: Angelica: St. Peterburg, FL Marine Biology Major (Senior) I have spent 16 years in the military and decided it was time to go back to school and get a degree in something I am passionate about. The ocean and animals have always been that for me so a degree in Marine Biology was perfect. I became a volunteer at the KBSTRRC over a year ago and fell in love with caring for the Sea Turtles. I realized it's something I wanted to pursue in my future so doing an internship working hands on with the turtles just made sense. Bryce: I’m currently a senior at UNCW studying biology with minors in chemistry and environmental sciences. I’m from Poolesville Maryland and I’m grateful for this experience working with the KBSTRRC. Sea turtles are my favorite animal and since I was a little kid, I knew that I was going to be involved one day. This internship has allowed me to work hands on with the turtles along with an awesome team that I sincerely cherish. Ben: My hometown is Calabash, NC. and I am a junior at UNC Wilmington, majoring in Biology and minoring in Neuroscience. Every summer my family would visit Sunset Beach, NC, and that first sparked my interest in turtles as they nested on the island. I am very excited to be interning at KBSTRRC this spring and assisting in the sea turtle conservation effort! Lauren: I am from Ellicott City, Maryland! I am currently a junior at UNCW and I am a marine biology major. I'm so excited to be an intern here this semester and expand my knowledge of marine animal care. I hope my experience with this internship helps guide me in my decision of post-grad plans and my future career aspirations! Eric: Growing up in Richmond, Virginia, I was fortunate enough to have a family boat in the Chesapeake Bay where we spent as many weekends as possible cruising around and enjoying the water and all the wonderful forms of marine life found in the world’s largest estuary. It was during that time that I developed a deep affection for the ocean and aquatic life of all kinds, which ultimately led to me coming to UNC Wilmington to study marine biology. In my time here I was fortunate enough to watch a sea turtle nest hatch, as well as getting a tour of the turtle hospital. Something in me stirred after these events… I knew that I wanted to give back to the ocean in some way, and the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center seemed like the perfect way to give back to such beautiful animals in their times of need. Ian: I'm from Charlotte, NC and currently majoring in Biology at UNCW. I enjoy spending my time outside rock climbing, slack lining, or scuba diving. I grew up in a house filled with a variety of animals which sparked my scientific curiosity. After watching KBSTRRC releases I fell in love and decided to become an intern to be a part of their conservation efforts! Emma: I am from Cary, NC. I'm currently a junior at UNCW majoring in oceanography and minoring in marine biology and dance. I hope to work with sea turtles in my career and so this internship offers exciting, hands-on experience. I have absolutely loved the internship thus far and am excited for the rest of the semester! Hai: I am from Tay Ninh, Viet Nam. I'm currently a junior at UNCW for Marine Biology major and thinking of minor in digital photography. I plan to further study specifically about turtles and the deep sea after graduation since they are the reason why I am here in a different country, in this major and in this hospital. My dream job would be working on a crew that explore the Antarctic. I am happy to be here this semester. It is like a big check mark on my journey! Jenessa: I am from Hickory, North Carolina, and I’m currently a senior at UNCW. I am a marine biology major and a French minor. I would love to go to vet school in the future, but plan to work for at least a year before I apply to gain more diverse experience! I hope to continue working as a kennel tech and hopefully do more work as a vet assistant this coming year. I’m so grateful to be an intern with KBSTRRC this semester to add to my experience and work with wildlife! Raful: I am from Clayton, North Carolina, and I am currently a junior at UNCW. I am a marine biology major with a concentration in conservation. I plan on continuing to find and gain experience in this scientific field after I graduate, and hopefully work at a conservation and rehabilitation facility just like this one! I absolutely love sea turtles and am super grateful to be an intern here this semester to help spread awareness for these endangered and beautiful animals!  By Karen Sota There’s a famous Pete Seeger 1955 song titled “Where Have All the Flowers Gone?” that was covered by many folk groups in the 60’s. Today a re-write of that song might be “Where Does All the Plastic Go?” At our hospital we see first-hand where some of it ends up. Right before Thanksgiving we got a call that a turtle had stranded in North Topsail Beach. This little green was admitted with a body temperature of 63 degrees, so we suspected cold-stunning was the most likely the reason she ended up on the beach. She wasn’t loaded with barnacles or algae like most of the cold-stuns but she looked like she was wearing a necklace. It’s not the kind of accessory we like to see on any turtle because it usually means there was some interaction with fishing line or a net. We named this little cutie “Fuzzy Wuzzy” and she was given the standard course of meds, including treatment for anemia, and settled into a tank. Since she was in relatively good condition upon admittance we thought she might be a short timer. But she seemed to be having a buoyancy issue, especially in deeper water. Very often this is a temporary condition and will resolve as we keep the turtle in lower water levels so they remain horizontal, not listing or head or butt up. But Fuzzy Wuzzy had a surprise in store for us. Along with her normal digestive waste we were netting numerous pieces of plastic – for weeks!  These were probably what most of us would consider “micro plastics” but if they were moving thorough your gut they probably wouldn’t feel so micro. All kinds of colors, sizes and shapes, and all with sharp edges. In the end this little six pound critter managed to pass a total of 14.5 grams of plastic, the equivalent of three typical credit cards. Ouch. The good news is that on January 3rd she caught a boat ride with a bunch of her friends to warmer waters, with a stern reminder from us to look for a different restaurant.
Patients that have eaten plastic (and all kinds of trash) is not a one-off occurrence for us. It’s out there everywhere, and if the ocean is your home and that’s the only place you can get your food you’re in trouble. Years ago, comedian George Carlin, noting that plastic is not fully degradable, said that the planet would eventually shake us off like fleas and create a new paradigm “Earth Plus Plastic.” He was not trying to be funny. We’re hoping that the cold weather is coming to an end and we’ll probably be seeing fewer cold-stuns. We continue to rely on our locals and visitors to keep any eye out for victims of cold snaps. If you see a turtle that has washed up on the beach or in our marshy areas or is in the water floating motionlessly don’t assume it is dead. They literally can’t move, maybe not even blink. Whether the turtle is big or small immediately call our Director of Beach Operations, Terry Meyer at: 910-470-2880. If she is not available, call the hospital during operating hours: 910-329-0222. If the turtle is below the high tide line and in danger of washing out move it above the high tide line if you can do so safely. Ideally you should remain with the turtle until our trained volunteers arrive to retrieve it. If that is not possible find a way to indicate the location of the turtle on the beach by drawing large arrows in the sand or placing beach debris nearby. The State of NC hotline for stranded, sick and injured turtles is 252-241-7367. The state number picks up 24/7. All conservation work for endangered sea turtles at KBSTRRC and on Topsail Island is authorized by the NC Wildlife Resources Commission, ES Permit 23ST05. We’re getting ready to open on a limited tour schedule beginning in March. Tours will be on Friday and Saturday from 11AM – 2 PM. You will still need to purchase tickets in advance through our website www.seaturtlehospital.org. Our gift shop is loaded with tons of new turtle merchandise and you’ll be able to adopt one of our patients for those hard to buy for relatives and friends. Fan favorites Snooki and Lennie are looking forward to having visitors again after months seeing only our faces so be sure to check us out before the seasonal crowds. |
Archives
February 2024
Categories |
RSS Feed
|
Quick Links |
Visiting Hours
THE TURTLES WELCOME YOU!
CLICK HERE FOR INFORMATION. ADMISSION (PLUS sales tax & fees): $7.00 General Admission (Ages 13-61) $6.00 Military (Active Duty and Veterans) $6.00 Seniors (Ages 62 and up) $5.00 Children (Ages 3-12) $0.00 Babies and Toddlers (Ages 0-2) (Babies are free but a ticket is still required to save their spot!) |
We are a 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization - POWERED BY VOLUNTEERS
EIN: 56-1967579
This conservation work for protected sea turtles at the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center and on Topsail Island is authorized by the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, ES Permit 24ST05.
©
2024 Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue & Rehabilitation Center​
Powered by Volunteers!
Website Design by Loggerhead Designs
Powered by Volunteers!
Website Design by Loggerhead Designs