Not Abaco, but yes turtles

[SamFamAustin]

For those of you who are turtle lovers, we had a major crisis down in South Texas this week and over 100 Green Turtles were brought in because of cold shock. You can tell they have shock because they look dead but will twitch an eyelid or flipper when moved about. The community and the mosquito fleet (the locals with small boats) all rose to the occassion. Pictures like this are extremely rare, even if not perfect.

[Abacoparrott]

What do you do with them?? Ken

[HALF-A-HAMIAN]

Stewed turtle is most excellent!:rolleyes:

[SamFamAustin]

They are taken to a place that has a local permit to handle wildlife such as turtles, which in our case was a turtle rescue center and a university marine science lab. Technically, hombres like me are not even supposed to touch engandered species but a game warden was right there helping me.

Once at a permitted facility they are wheeled in on a gurney, a large plastic one. They are immediately lowered and placed on mats similar to exercize mats for yoga; towels, blankets, and all kind of dunnage is used as well. This helps keep the turtles from losing heat through the cold concrete floor. There they sit overnight, lights off and heater on 75F.

Each turtle is then measured in four or five places, given a quick exam, and marked with an identifying number with an waterproof marker on the back - they would not take my suggestion to write "Nacho" on our favorite one that we had nicknamed. At this stage, some are "found dead" and taken to another area very close to a small restaurant freezer in the garage.

Beyond that it is a mystery for us right now because they really need to be swimming in at least a kiddie pool and eating some lettuce (Green Turtles are vegetarians). If they get "spunky" they do circular laps all the time. If not, they sit there and the workers position a rock so the head is above the water and it can breathe. Then you wait. Some golden angel allowed us 5,000 square feet of shed space down at the local Port but I haven't checked it out (they really don't want a lot of local hombres down there). The big day is when you literally throw them back into the bay, a fairly large celebration down here.

I'm no authority here but some day I hope to hoist one for Nacho. He was and I hope still is a good boy, even though he was quite spunky and unruly. Kersploosh! They look back once and then they swim away and are gone. The invalids are kept behind in large tanks but the goal is to get them right back in the water. I hope this wasn't too boring ... remember Nacho.
/Sammie

[SamFamAustin]

And you rascal, Half-A-Hamian, you're getting those bad ways already! :)

[Abacoparrott]

the entertaining description of what happens to the turtles....not boring at all......Ken

[patw]

Way to go Sam!!! Very interesting story. I'm pulling for them all and hope Nacho makes it!

[BahamaAngie]

Very interesting. Thanks for sharing.

[Patti Puzo]

Great job. What a wonderful thing for all of you to do.
Patti Puzo