On May 26, 2005 a very old and extremely large Loggerhead
Sea Turtle emerged
from the Atlantic Ocean to lay her eggs on Hilton Head
Island. Sometime
after nesting this ancient turtle became disoriented and
wandered off into a
residential community. The turtle crawled amongst the
local homes for a few
hours until Amy Lutmerding (my wonderful girlfriend) and
another Sea Turtle
Patrol worker found the turtle at around 6:30am.
Amy then notified the local Lifeguards and Hilton Head's
bravest
firefighters and policemen were called into help move
the massive turtle,
which weighed between 400 and 500 pounds.
Three firefighters and two policemen hoisted the turtle
into the Lifeguard
trailer and the turtle was transported to another part
of the beach to be
released back into the ocean.
The firefighters and policemen unloaded the slightly dazed,
confused, and
tired turtle out of the trailer so she could begin her
descent back into her
natural habitat.
This amazing turtle slowly crawled her way back home.
Luckily before
becoming lost amongst the beach front homes the turtle
completed the task
that she was born to do.
The survival of this beautiful and captivating animal
depends upon the
unborn hatchlings like the ones this turtle deposited
on Hilton Head.
Every egg, every hatchling, and every turtle counts. Without
them our
oceans and eco-system would never be the same again.
These turtles have been doing this nesting dance for thousands
of years and
it is our duty to allow them to continue. So if you live
or vacation in a
coastal community where Sea Turtles nest, please turn
off all outside lights
after 10pm and if you ever get the good fortune to see
a turtle emerge from
the water please leave it alone and watch from a safe
distance.
Save A Turtle. Future generations deserve to see these
wonderful creatures
carry out their ancient mating ritual along our beaches.
