If you’re not a Green…
…you’re not "keen", at least about sharing space. We recently admitted two small Kemp’s that would have made perfect roommates - if only they weren’t Kemp’s. But more on that in a bit.

When we get crowded we get creative. You all remember that last year we ran out of space and asked our thirty little cold-stunned, veggie-loving Greens to try to get along with each other so we wouldn’t have to turn anybody away. We carefully screened them for size and temperament. Then they received a stern warning from Mama Jean about loving thy neighbor. Finally we gradually introduced them to each other, hoping for peace and harmony. If one of them showed any sign of a temper tantrum they immediately received a "time-out." After an hour or so of being alone in another tank for an attitude adjustment they were permitted to return "home." Those critters not only thrived physically and mentally in their shared environment but they were a constant source of joy to us as we watched them race around and then sink to the bottom where they snuggled into each other for their afternoon naps.

The Kemp’s are another story. They’re fearless little critters, and they’re carnivores. They prefer not to be handled and they’re quick to get that point across by threatening to bite. They open their mouths so wide we can see what they ate for breakfast. They bite anything, including "family." We saw that first hand about ten years ago when we received a whole "tribe" of Kemp’s from Massachusetts and thought we might be able to put them together in a really, really BIG tank. We learned in the first few seconds that there is no tank in the world big enough to hold more than one Kemp’s at a time. We no longer entertain any fantasies about Kemp’s sharing anything, especially living quarters.

Photo: Don’t try this with Kemp’s!

With the recent admit of four new turtles we’re pretty much out of floor space, and it’s not even cold-stun season quite yet. When that happens we’re going to be in a real jam - actually we’re already in a literal jam. We know that there will be more sick and injured turtles needing our help and we’ll have to somehow work miracles to get them into our tiny building. That new hospital can’t come fast enough! We still need over $300,000 for phase one, so when you’re reviewing your charitable giving plans for this year please add us to your list. Flipper hugs!

Ready, set, ADOPT!
We’re making your holiday and special occasion gift shopping simple with our revised and updated "Adopt A Rescued Sea Turtle" program. First, visit our website (www.seaturtlehospital.org) to review the list of patients up for adoption. Then just pick and click and you’ll be on your playing a part in their feeding, medication and rehabilitation. There’s a level of giving for every budget, every occasion. The hardest part will be deciding which of those faces you love the most.

We’ve had numerous requests over the past year to expand this program, and now we’re happy to roll it out just in time for the holidays. It’s a unique present for someone you love, and that can include YOU! It’s also a great framework for presenting environmental issues to classrooms, and a worthwhile project for scouts and other youth/adult groups. Visit our website today to get your adoption certificate, photo and cool turtle-gear (based on adoption level.) We’ll be sure to mention your name to your new flippered friend at mealtime.

Topsail Turtle Project
Our Director of Beach Operations, Terry Meyer has closed up shop for the nesting/hatching season when the final nest was dug up and analyzed a few weeks ago. Fifty-nine verified nests was hardly a record-breaker, but at least we didn’t have to watch helplessly as hundreds of un-hatched eggs were carried away by a freak storm - like last fall.

We’re still asking you all to be on the lookout for any turtles acting un-turtle-like: just floating, and not swimming, diving or surfacing periodically to take deep breaths. They may be victims of a sudden drop in air/water temperatures. These are the classic signs of a cold-stun, and we need to get them into our hospital, fast.

All sea turtles are federally protected animals. Harassing or interfering with them in any way is punishable by a hefty fine and/or imprisonment. Please report any incidents of cold-stuns, injury, stranding or harassment to our Director of Beach Operations, Terry Meyer at 910-470-2880 immediately.

"The Turtles Are Coming"
Thankfully these particular sea turtles won’t require food, medicine or even a tank of warm, saltwater! But they will require an artistic friend who will take them under their brush, decorate them and then release them to the various businesses in the area where everyone can enjoy them. After a period of time these three-foot fiberglass turtles will be auctioned off with all proceeds going to our hospital. Interested parties should contact the Surf City Artist Guild: Ellen, 910-330-4077, or Jane, 910-327-9680. You can also request information by e-mailing them at: artexpo@gmail.com.

Questions, comments or to receive our monthly newsletter
Contact me at: flippers@embarqmail.com with questions or comments. Contact me at: flippers@att.net to request to be added to the monthly e-mail newsletter. This column will appear in print every other week through next Spring.