This time last year, we wrote with a large white marker the number 129 on a turtle's carapace, ending the 2010 intakes as this was the last live turtle to come to the Animal Care Center. This year, on the same date, it feels like turtle season is just beginning. We have had 7 new additions of Kemp's ridley sea turtles in the past few days, which of course is nothing compared to last year's numbers, but it definitely makes it feel like turtle season! The clinic is starting to bustle with activities, heart rates being detected by dopplers (see below photo), turtles swimming in kiddy pools, and turtle shuffling to various rooms to raise them just the right temperature each day.


So let me do a brief introduction to which turtles came through the door this week and how they are doing.



#16, above photos, stranded on Thursday. He is actually doing fairly well, although he came in with the lowest body temperature so far this season (48 degrees F). I won't be surprised if he is swimming in a big tank by tomorrow.














So far, the heroes and villains theme has also named turtles Nightcrawler, Jack O'Lantern, Rorchach and Doomsday. These turtles will be treated until they are well enough for release into the wild, then they will be returned to the ocean in warmer waters. See photos of a recent release in this post. Caring for all the turtles is a big job, and any way you can help is appreciated.