Amateur Herptologists Give Turtles Their Sun Room

Pokey is looking forward to the day when her mom has a large enough dwelling to move in some of her friends.  She loves to hear stories about couples like Jay and Bonnie Mendez, a couple with a passion for turtles.  This school food service director and library director couple gave up their sun room for their herpetology collection.  They now have nine different turtles, both box and river species.

Freezing in Florida

Everyone knows that the polar vortex had dumped an unusual abundance of winter upon parts of North America.  What many don't know is that the sea turtle population is also suffering due to the harsh season.  Green sea turtles living in the Florida panhandle seem to have been hit the hardest as they are unable to self-regulate their body temperature as effectively as other ocean dwelling mammals.  Dozens of in-shock and deceased turtles were found on the beach after the most recent storm.  If you are in Florida and stumble upon a suffering sea turtle, please call the FWC Wildlife Alert hotline at 888-404-3922 to give them their best chance at survival.

SeaWorld's 1000th Rehabilitated Sea Turtle

SeaWorld Orlando's marine animal rescue facility reached an exciting milestone this week.  They released their 1000th rehabilitated sea turtle back into the wild!  Way to go turtle savers!!  This loggerhead looks pretty excited to go ride the current once again...