Sea turtles strand in record numbers on Outer Banks

ROANOKE ISLAND, N.C.

ROANOKE ISLAND

Frigid temperatures and stormy weather have stunned record numbers of endangered sea turtles off the Outer Banks, forcing volunteers to scramble to save them within the 24-hour survival window.

So far, 44 of the cold-blooded creatures have been transported to the Network for Endangered Sea Turtles rehabilitation center at the North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island, said aquarist Christian Guerreri.

That's a record number of cold-stunned turtles for the Outer Banks, she said. Last winter, 28 were found off barrier island beaches.

Guerreri said four turtles have died, and nine have been sent to other rehabilitation facilities, including five to Virginia Beach.

Leaning over a small box on the floor of the heated facility, Guerreri pulled a towel off the carapace of the most recent admittance, a small green turtle that arrived Tuesday morning. The animal lay in its warm new bed, seemingly unperturbed by the attention but aware.

"Sometimes they're so lethargic, they won't lift their head to breathe," Guerreri said.

Once it is revived a bit, the turtle will go into a fresh water bath for a day to kill off parasites, and then be placed into a separate salt water tank, where it will be fed every morning.

Before the animals are brought to rehab, Guerreri said, they are examined by a veterinarian. They are closely monitored during their recovery, which usually takes two to four weeks. Finally they're taken to the Gulf Stream to be released.

The care of so many animals has made a dent in NEST's funds, putting care of future strandings at risk, said treasurer Chris Pruitt. The volunteer group depends on donations.

Between aquarium and National Park Service staff and volunteers, patrols have been scouring beaches in Cape Hatteras National Seashore, said Michelle Bogardus, Park Service lead sea turtle biotechnician.

The turtles, she said, essentially lose consciousnes s in water that is too cold for them; 80 of the animals found since the weather turned on Dec. 12 were already dead when they were spotted. But if the live ones are brought to a rehabilitation center within 24 hours, she said, they have a good chance of making it.

About 90 percent of the recent strandings - mostly greens, some Kemp's ridleys and a few loggerheads - have been found around the Pamlico Sound, Bogardus said. The green turtles that have been found are about the size of a large football, making them less then seven years old; their life span is believed to be as much as 70 years.

Catherine Kozak, (252) 441-1711, cate.kozak@pilotonline.com