Mothers Day started slowly with no turtle activity on the beach this morning. But the action picked up just after Beautsie filed her uneventful morning report. She received a report of a stranding at Jenkins Point. Beautsie and Terry Fansler responded to the report and soon found the stranded turtle was a 500 pound Leatherback that got stranded in the marsh when the tide receded. It was right behind Lynda Fox’ house and she put on her waders and over the next few hours slowly steered the turtle toward shore while keeping it cool and protected with wet towels. Lynda’s effort was truly heroic and no doubt, saved the huge turtle’s life.
With the leadership of Michelle Pate, of the DNR, and the help of several Turtle Patrol members and other Seabrookers, the Leatherback was moved to shore and loaded in Beautsie’s Turtle Patrol truck. Among those participating were Bill and Pat Greubel, Mark and Valerie Doane, Bill and Susie Firesheets, Harvey Gibson, Don Smith, Ken and Deanna Hubbard, Gary and Terry Fansler and Beautsie Zahrn. We then drove to North Beach, unloaded the turtle and steered her back to sea to the cheers of a large crowd of helpers and observers.
All in all a very rewarding experience for all involved.
Lynda Fox helping keep the Leatherback cool
Leatherback heading back to sea