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On Friday, August 5th 2005, WIMARCS staff
received a call from the Department of Planning and Natural Resources on
behalf of the Sea Turtle Assistance and Rescue (STAR) Network. STAR is a
network of local biologists and federal agencies which respond to sea turtle
emergencies such as injuries, disorientation, and stranding of adult and
hatchling sea turtles. The call informed WIMARCS of a turtle which had
fallen into the local public swimming pool, just South of Frederiksted on
the west end of St. Croix. The status and species of turtle was unknown.
Jeanne and Steven Garner, along with Ryan Welsh of WIMARCS, Christine
O’Sullivan of DPNR, and Mike Evans of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
were alerted and responded immediately to the call.
The Frederiksted picnic and swimming area has been
under construction this summer for renovations and improvements. The pool
itself had been drained and the protective fencing which prevents access to
the pool removed. The turtle, which was identified as a mature female
hawksbill sea turtle, had fallen 7.5 feet into the deep end of the pool
after attempting to nest on the nearby beach. Hawksbill turtles are one of
four species of sea turtle which nest annually on St. Croix. It is an
endangered species and is protected by law under the Endangered Species Act
of 1973. Hawksbill turtles may nest year round on St. Croix, but the
primary nesting season occurs from August through November.
The stranded turtle had most likely emerged from the
sea to lay her eggs on the night of the 4th, crawled toward light
sources surrounding the pool and fell in. Luckily, recent heavy rains
provided approximately 2 feet of water in the deep end of the pool, thus |
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cushioning the turtle’s fall and preventing severe injury and/or death.
The turtle remained in the pool, swimming in rainwater, until local
construction workers found her and called for help.
Representatives from WIMARCS, DPNR, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
were able to steer the turtle onto a large sling and carefully remove her
from the concrete pool. She was then examined to ensure there were no
severe injuries which would require veterinary care. The turtle suffered
minimal damage consisting mainly of localized abrasions. Data on the
turtle’s condition and situation was collected, and she was measured and
tagged for identification. The turtle was subsequently released back into
the sea, where she swam easily away into the deep blue.
Following the release, recommendations were provided to
the construction managers to prevent this situation from re-occurring.
Although this story has a happy ending it is important to remember that sea
turtles are vulnerable on land. They are easily disorientated and
locomotion is difficult. They are prone to falling in holes and open
spaces, such as pools, which are close to nesting beaches. They may
also become disoriented and cross roadways, putting them in danger of being
hit by cars and predated by dogs. If you see a turtle in danger,
please call your local fish and wildlife representative. On the island
of St. Croix you may also call WIMARCS at 340-772-1382.
Follow up: The contractor met with U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service on August 12th to discuss temporary fencing to prevent any
further accidents. The fencing was to be completed by August 14, 2005.
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