‘Sometimes they don’t have a heartbeat’: Aquarists from The Deep visit USA on turtle rescue mission
HANDS ON: Gavin Clarke with one of the rescued turtles
By Simon Bristow, Co-Editor
Two aquarists from The Deep have visited New England Aquarium in the USA to take part in a turtle rescue mission.
Shoshana Levine and Gavin Clarke braved their coldest rescue trip yet, carrying out life-saving conservation work alongside other volunteers in temperatures as low as -25 degrees Celsius.
The project began in response to an annual phenomenon in autumn time when hundreds of cold-stunned sea turtles are found stranded along the many miles of beaches in Cape Cod. In search of warmer waters, sea turtles begin migrating south as they sense the temperature begin to decline, but are often not able to complete their journey due to sudden temperature fluctuations.
ROAD TO RECOVERY: Turtles during rehabilitation
The geography of the region amplifies the issue, with the ‘hook’ shape of Cape Cod Bay trapping the cold-stunned turtles, which then are washed up onto the beaches.
The Deep’s aquarists volunteer alongside a dedicated team of staff, interns and other volunteers, all working diligently to bring as many turtles as possible back to full health, eventually releasing them with the hope their populations can recover.
The main species found stranded is the critically endangered Kemp’s ridley sea turtle, as well as Leatherback turtles, Green turtles, and Loggerhead turtles.
IN TRANSIT: Turtles in the caring arms of volunteers
Without this crucial human intervention the turtles are unlikely to survive. However, thanks to this work their survival rates are between 80 and 90 per cent. To date, over 470 sea turtles have been treated at the rescue centre.
The visit last month marked the seventh year The Deep has participated in the large-scale conservation project, which sees annual involvement from hundreds of volunteers and aquarium partners across the globe.
Shoshana said: “I always love working with their incredible team and helping save turtles. I’m always amazed that the turtles are able to survive, they come in as little ice cubes, sometimes without a heartbeat, and can completely recover.
INSPECTION: Gavin Clarke, left, with a turtle arriving at the aquarium
“For Gav, he specifically liked the hands-on nature of the conservation work and knowing that without our efforts the turtles would not survive. He was also impressed by their survival rates when they make it to the rescue centre and to be a part of that felt very special.
“It’s great to see the collective passion and drive to succeed that extends through all the volunteers, interns, temp staff, and rescue staff. As an extension of this, it's amazing to see the network of organisations that work together and share a common goal – to get all these turtles healthy and released.”