Turtle Power! News from Tom B.

Below is a note from Kat Lillie of Sea Turtle, Inc.

This is a unique opportunity for those interested in sea turtles.  The recent cold snap has resulted in several hundred sea turtles being beached (stranded on land) as a result of their body temperatures dropping with the cooler water temperatures.  Being reptiles, when their body temperature drops their muscles become unresponsive and they can not swim.  They drift with the tide and are eventually washed up on shore.  If left, they will die in the cold air.  Sea Turtle, Inc. on South Padre Island rescues these turtles and keeps them until the weather and water temperature warms.  That day has arrived and some of the rescued turtles will be released on Wednesday afternoon.  The public is invited!  I encourage everyone to enjoy this special event.  I am committed to another project so will miss this event.  Tom Butler, Lot 44

From: Kat Lillie <klillie85@gmail.com>
Date: December 16, 2013 at 8:04:38 PM CST
To: Kat Lillie <klillie85@gmail.com>
Subject: Cold stranded turtle release

The cold stranded turtles are all warmed up and we are preparing to release them. As many of you remember, we release these cold turtles off the Gulf side of the island since it is a few degrees warmer than the bay. 

We will have a public release for the turtles on Wednesday, December 18th at 2pm. It will be held in Isla Blanca Park at the SOUTH pavilion (closest to the jetties). We will be releasing about 100 juvenile green sea turtles. Feel free to come and watch and pass the word to your family and friends! :)

--
Kat Lillie

Sea Turtle, Inc. Assistant Curator
6617 Padre Blvd.
South Padre Island, TX
78597
(956) 761.4511