Turtle interview

Adam Jenkins of MRK interview with Dr.Terry Norton of the

Georgia SeaTurtle Center

Click here for Dr. Norton's bio

What is the purpose of your foundation?
Our focus is Sea turtle rehabilitation, education and research. We train veterinary students, veterinarians, and biologist from the US and around the world. We work with all native turtle species in Georiga.

How long has the center been operating?
2 years

How many Sea Turtles has the Georgia Center rehabilitated?
Approximately 80 sea turtles over the last 2 years.

What is the major cause of injury?
20% of the sea turtle strandings in Georgia are related to boat propeller wound. We also see flotation abnormalities, debilitated loggerhead sea turtles, fish hook and line related problems. The most common problem in the diamondback terrapins and other turtle patients is hit by car injuries.

What is the rehabilitation success rate?
approximately 70%

Is there one in particular that comes to mind?
Varun, which means god of the water, is a green sea turtle which had severe propeller injuries. We could see his intestinal tract and lungs and he was missing about ¼ of the shell. Honey was used to heal the wounds and he looks like a normal turtle now other than the obvious shell defect that is continuing to heal.

What is the long term goal for the center?

Continue our efforts with sea turtles and other turtles and potential to expand our programs to involve other wildlife and ecosystem health. Continue Rehab, Education, Research and Training.

How is the satellite tracking information used?

We place the satellite transmitter on top of the shell and it picks up signals from satellites. It gives us information on movements of sea turtles that have been rehabilitated and released. We try to do this for all loggerheads that are successfully rehabilitated.

It says in your bio that you enjoy all wildlife but have a true passion for working with all types of turtles, tortoises and terrapins. What is it about them that draws your interest?
They are very old-as old or older than dinosaurs and remain unchanged to this day. All turtles are in trouble because of their life history-long lived, late to reproduce (35 years in the loggerhead), their unique anatomy, their diverse life histories, physiology and anatomy.

Does the Georgia Sea Turtle Center work with and/or house any other types of animals?
We work with all native turtle species

How is the Center funded?
The Jekyll Island Authority oversees the GSTC. We get funds that goes towards our operating budget-these include admissions, gift shop, adopt a turtle, school programs, other education programs, grants, and donations

Have you ever or do you keep any types of aquariums?
We have an aquarium for our hatchlings and an epibiota tank

One of the most important elements in maintaining a healthy Marine aquarium is water quality. With stocking levels and proper filtration being 2 of the more important parts. What type of filtration is used at the center?
Protein skimmers, biofiliters, ozone

< MRK>
One of the arguments in the aquarium world is salinity levels. At what level is the Centers water kept?
< DR. Norton >
When turtles first come in we may put them in freshwater because they can drink it and it may be absorbed through their cloaca and bladder. We slowly bring them up to 32 ppt

You guys do an awesome job at the center. What can the average person do to help out?
Volunteer, donate funds or equipment, tell people about us, save an injured turtle, be a good steward of the environment.

Thank you very much for taking time out of you busy schedule for us.

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