Postscript to Nest Relocation

In yesterday's post about the excavation and relocation of Gulf Islands National Seashore's first sea turtle nest, I forgot to give you one of the most interesting sidenotes: we have a photo of the mama turtle herself!



Pamela Young, an employee of the National Park Service took this photo of our special turtle who was found disoriented and crawling across Ft. Pickens Road during an attempt to nest on June 4. Pamela stopped traffic and called Gulf Islands National Seashore Bio-tech Vickie Withington to help guide the Kemp's ridley back into the Gulf.

Within a couple of hours this little turtle returned to shore to complete her nesting. Kemp's ridley sea turtles are most rare of the species, but this one takes an even more special place in Gulf Islands National Seashore history and we even have her photo. Our thanks to Pamela for keeping her safe that day...and taking photos!

If you want to read my original post about this Kemp's ridley, you may click HERE.

Gracie & Zander - Rangers of tomorrow!

I have seen the future of the U.S. National Park Service! Two little helpers, Gracie and Zander, are surely destined to be USNPS Park Rangers.

Gracie Mims was so excited to be able to see and release the hatchlings.


Gracie's mom, Park Ranger Beckie Mims, shows Gracie how to carefully hold a hatchling as it is released.


Zander Litwin takes sea turtles very seriously and always makes sure people have literature on how to help save them. He's already been helping his mom, Park Ranger Rhonda Litwin, with the turtles for a long time and has become our number one public relations guy!


Gracie and Zander peer into the cooler in which the hatchlings were housed overnight, waiting to be released.


Gracie smooths sand over a footprint before the next hatchling is released.

Zander stands next to Park Ranger Kirsten Dahlen and checks on the tiny turtles.


Zander releases a Kemp's ridley.

Grace releases one, too.

They're so cute!

"I think we're done for the day."

"Yeah, saving the world can tire you out."

I don't know...do you think they can wrap it up without us?