This past month has provided many hands on opportunities in helping out with husbandry at the GSTC. I thoroughly enjoy helping out as I learn so much while doing so!
On December 19th, I helped Steven as he removed medihoney from the boat strike wound along the spine of Emma and administered her dry-vacuum therapy. Her name is short for Emerald as she is a green sea turtle. Green sea turtles are vegetarians and their fat is dyed green from all the chlorophyll they consume.
On December 16th, I assisted with getting Talbot ready for his potential release. Talbot was given a satellite transmitter, flipper tags, and a pit tag. I was thankful there were several helpful hands as I administered my first pit tag (it is quite an intimidating first-time task). Talbot is a sub-adult male loggerhead sea turtle that had marine debris wrapped around his flippers causing a loss in circulation. We had to amputate about four inches of his right flipper.
On December 10th, I helped Jessica with Griffin's weight-belt therapy. Griffin has experienced an event similar to a human stroke therefore forgetting how to be a sea turtle. His weight-belt, which was fashioned by Georgia Tech (and is coincidently yellow and black), helps neutralize his buoyancy. This allows Griffin to more easily be able to dive and stay submerged.
I love my job!!
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