The Turtle Hospital was opened in 1986 with four main goals: 1) rehabilitate injured sea turtles and return them to the wild, 2) educate the public through outreach programs to local schools, 3) conduct and assist with research which aids the sea turtles, and 4) work toward environmental legislation which makes the beaches and water safe and clean for sea turtles.
Its a big job.
The Turtle Hospital has a large Rehabilitation Facility within an easy walk of the Hospital. The chain link enclosure is covered in shade cloth for the comfort of both volunteers and turtles. They have a large 100,000 gallon salt water pool (formerly the swimming pool for motel guests) and 19 individual tanks ranging in size from 150 to 800 gallons each. There are some nice pictures (here).
You can see some of the patients swimming in the "rehab" pool on a webcam (here!).
It's both sad and reaffirming to see - sick or injured sea turles - swimming around and around and around - hopefully many of them will recover and be released back into the wild.
If you are interested in supporting this effort - there is an on-line store where you can purchase membership, books, clothing, jewelry and other interesting Sea Turtle-related things (here)
I've been doing a bit of "pay it forward" ever since Christmas time - when I was literally made totally speechless by someone's unexpected act of kindness. So, in continuing with this - I've adopted a turtle.
I had a few choices - and you can see them (here) After reading each of their histories and visiting with them in the rehab facility, I picked a Green Sea Turtle by the name of April - who is nearly blind after loosing her right eye to fibropapilloma tumors while only having shadow vision in the left eye.
"Fibropapilloma looks like large warts with a "cauliflower" texture that grow on all the soft tissue areas of a sea turtle, including the eyes and mouth, it can also grow through the carapace and plastron. Unfortunately in some cases the growths or tumors, as they are also called, can grow internally on the lungs, kidneys, liver and intestines."
My dad, who is doing quite well these days, walks every day when the weather cooperates, in the Washington Crossing Park "run" by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission with a group of a dozen "dog walkers".
One of the walked doggies is brand new -
Meet Frankie the German Shepard Poopy!
My parents are getting (yet) another dog this weekend and will be picking up one of Frankie's siblings. I'm sure I'll have some pictures (and maybe they'll have picked a name too) for you next week.
Woof!
29 comments:
So, in adopting April, this means you're paying the facility for her care, or does it mean you have her at home with you?
I love dogs... can't wait to hear more about Frankie's sibling!
That is so nice of you to adopt a turtle! I love sea creatures and hate to see them struggling. You are so kind for helping out!
Ummm....Frankie is ridiculously cute. I cannot wait for more pics of cute pups!
Ahh, that is sweet for you--the turtle is lucky you care.
Frankie looks like the most adorable dog.
Aww, so sweet of you.
And what a precious dog.
Ahhh! Paying it forward turtle papa. Nice! I think I saw a program about this on PBS or somewhere. April=spring=new beginnings. There is such kindness in the world. Can hardly wait to see new puppy pictures! :):)
That is so sweet of you Iggy to adopt a turtle, one of my landlords used go and wait on the beach for the turtle eggs to hatch and make sure they made it to the water safely..I cant wait to see the puppy pics, hugs
Good for you. That turtle doesn't know how lucky he is to found you.
That puppy (poopy) is just too cute. I love those clueless little puppy faces.
Glad to hear your Dad is doing well!!!
That was really nice of you, Iggy. I checked out the links you posted and read about some of those turtles. You're a very caring man, and April is one lucky turtle. *hugs*
Looking forward to more puppy pics. :)
I loved hearing about April and Frankie too!! I'll have to check out the camera during the daytime; it's all dark now, lol! I'll bet Bella would love to see it too!
You always find the coolest stuff to blog about!
Gotta love the sea turtles!!! Love seeing them make a mad dash for the water : )
What a great pay it forward idea. April is very lucky - as are all of the turtle who will benefit.
I've been wondering how your dad is doing - love good news.
Poopy dog is priceless. So sweet.
Woof!
i heart you..you nice man you.
so glad your dad is doing better these days and is up walking about getting some exercise; sounds exciting to have a new dog in the family :)
so cool to adopt a turtle! April sounds like a gem of one too; so sad about her condition though
bettu
Will they send you updates and pictures of April?
When I saw the picture of the puppy, I thought YOU were adopting him!
You have a good heart Iggy. I like the name Bubble Butt. Glad to hear your dad is doing well.
You've got such a good heart.
The Mote aquarium I posted about yesterday is a rehab facility too. It's really wonderful! So glad you adopted April! That's so cool! Can't wait to hear more about about the adorable pups to, and so glad to hear your dad is doing well :-)
YHESSSS. I had a dream to one day adopt a mantee. Sea turtles are just as cool. Have you seen Milo and Otis? That turtle saves Otis' tail!
Thank you, by the way, for your amazing comment on my most recent post. It made me feel fantastic. Kinda like Barney in a room of naked kids....only better.
That's awesome of you to adopt a turtle! Will April send you letters every now and then? :p
And can't wait to see the new puppy. Any thoughts on adopting a pet you can bring home with you?
It's always a great idea to Pay it Forward. All of our kitties have been shelter kitties and as incredibly damaged as some are, it's still a privilege to give them a home.
Congratulations on being the proud poppa of April! That is an awesome thing to do!
Frankie is very cute. I can't wait to see your parent's puppy!!! Will it's name begin with a "K"?
that's a great idea to adopt a turtle! i used to do an 'adopt a dog' program and my dog was a german shepherd named mickey brown. i adored him. he wrote me letters four times a year! for real.
and, as you have probably guessed, i love german shepherds- i'm so excited to see the new puppy!
Awwwwww. I want Frankie!!!!!!!
That's so cool that you have adopted a sea turtle. I've seen documentaries and stories on tv about the tumors sea turtles get. They look very uncomfortable. I wish they could figure out how to prevent the turtles from getting them. :-(
I was listening to something the other day about the people who live in Florida on a certain area of beach -- they can't turn their lights on at all after a certain time in the evening for several months -
while the turtles lay their eggs - and then again when they hatch.
(awww cute pup)
The turtle adoption is very cool! And the puppy is adorable. I've got a soft spot for puppies.
Mmmmmmmmmm turtle soup ;) - you are to sweet for words...
Will your parents adopt me, I can bark and like a dog and Im well trained........
love you Mr..
x
That's so nice of you to adopt April. :)
Hope your parents' new puppy isn't one of those destructive puppies, and that she/he learns good behaviour quickly.
What an awesome idea for a pay it forward!
Aww Frankie's too cute! Looking forward to updates on April and Frankie (and the next poopy that comes along!)
So tell me about the parents new puppy?
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