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Two New Patients Arrive at Georgia Sea Turtle Center on Jekyll Island

Posted on: Thursday, 25 October 2007, 18:00 CDT

JEKYLL ISLAND, Ga., Oct. 25 /PRNewswire/ -- Two beautiful loggerhead turtles, rescued after stranding on Northern Florida beaches, are now receiving care at the Georgia Sea Turtle Center on Jekyll Island.

Bailey a 95-pound turtle was found on the beach near Mayport Naval Station on Thursday, October 18. Allen Foley of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission retrieved her from the beach and transferred her to GSTC Aquarist Michelle Kaylor and GSTC Director Dr. Bill Irwin. She was then rushed to the center for tests and treatment. Similarly, Marina a 75-pound loggerhead, was found on Jacksonville Beach Monday, October 22 and was transferred from Foley to Irwin in what has become a model example of inter- agency and inter-state cooperation resulting in these turtles receiving immediate state-of-the-art treatment.

Both patients are very lethargic with low heart rates and very little peripheral response. Each had very little new epiobiota load (organisms growing on their skin) and blood tests showed that they were not severely debilitated suggesting that they had only recently succumbed to their illnesses. Though definitive tests are still pending, a neuron-toxin, such as that produced by the recent Red Tide events in Northern Florida waters, is the most likely candidate as the cause of the turtles' condition. Both turtles are now under the care of Dr. Terry Norton at the GSTC where they are receiving fluid treatment to flush the toxin from their system as well as medications to maintain their cardiovascular function and to fight potential secondary infections that are common with stranded turtles.

For updates on the progress of Bailey and Marina, check out the out the Georgia Sea Turtle Center blog at http://www.gstc.blogspot.com/. For more information about the Georgia Sea Turtle Center, please visit http://www.georgiaseaturtlecenter.org/ or call (912) 635-4444.

About the Georgia Sea Turtle Center

The Georgia Sea Turtle Center officially opened June 16, 2007 in Jekyll Island, Ga.'s Historic Landmark District on the site of the original 1903 Power Plant building, much of which will be preserved and incorporated into the new facilities. The ambitious, $3 million center - offering an outstanding, museum-style learning experience and a state-of-the-art rehabilitation center and veterinary clinic - is the first of its kind in Georgia. For more information about the Georgia Sea Turtle Center and related programs, visit http://www.georgiaseaturtlecenter.org/.

About Jekyll Island.

Jekyll Island is a barrier island on Georgia's coast - midway between Jacksonville, Fla.; and Savannah, Ga. Accessible by car just minutes from I- 95, Jekyll Island offers a variety of amenities, including 10 miles of beach, four golf courses, a 250-acre Historic Landmark District, water park, tennis center, an array of lodging options including hotels, cottages and campgrounds. Owned by the State of Georgia, and managed by the Jekyll Island State Park Authority, Jekyll Island has had development limited to just 35 percent of its available land area. This unique aspect of Jekyll Island serves to preserve the critical barrier island ecosystem, as well as provides guests with a unique escape from the crowds and complications of other beach resort destinations. Please visit http://www.jekyllisland.com/ for more information or call 1-877-4JEKYLL.

Jekyll Island

CONTACT: Eric Garvey, Jekyll Island Authority, +1-912-635-4080,egarvey@jekyllisland.com

Web site: http://www.jekyllisland.com/http://www.georgiaseaturtlecenter.org/http://www.gstc.blogspot.com/

Source: PRNewswire

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