Help Sea Turtles during Unprecedented Crisis

Almost 5 months ago, I happily started as a volunteer at STCC. What an incredibly beautiful experience I have had. Checking all south end beaches every Friday, is a joy. The dawn, the serene atmosphere and nature that awakens from animal to human, in one word: fantastic! With photos I have already made many people realize what a beautiful island it is and that we should keep it that way.

Unfortunately, no nests have been found this year in my route. Nevertheless, every week I still go with that hope, with which your imagination sometimes takes a walk with you and you see what you would like to see! So even a dug hole of an enthusiastic child, make your heart beat a little faster! A certain print, yes clearly the prints of a sea turtle??

I can wander for hours on these beaches in tropical heat, impending storm or rain, each beach has its own charm. With my respect for what has been set up here to monitor turtles, more and more the realization came to how many people are involved here. What an amount of information has already been collected, what guidance, what commitment to, among other things, get sea water for the sick turtles, what support and care of vet Doest and Seaquarium!

But above all: what a love for the preservation of the turtles that otherwise would not have made it.

Mid November, the last 3 sea turtles that were rescued in the Sargassum crisis, were released back to sea! It was very special to be there. Even more special, I was allowed to measure and weigh with two other volunteers, where holding on was already an experience in itself.

What a cooperation and compassion from everyone and especially the caretakers of Seaquarium, where manual feeding and the love especially Honey, one of the rescued sea turtles, blossomed. This specific sea turtle had gained no less than 6 kilos in the past 2 months! The realization that a turtle will stop eating when it is under stress indicates how much extra has been given! It was my first time to measure and oh boy, what a sweat it was in front of all people, but what a good instruction from Hans and the experienced volunteer, it made it an unforgettable day for me.

Grateful to all who, at any time, every day and at any time, would like to contribute to the progress of these beautiful animals!

The transport and release of these last, rescued turtles was also quite emotional: towards their freedom, a second chance, new hope and maybe one day a nest of them here on Curaçao or somewhere?

What an example for the youth who were there, but also the realization: what a commitment, I hope to learn a lot, to be able to pass on a lot through photos and explanations to all who are interested. Because there is a "magic" here when you get to experience these animals up close.

I hope everyone can continue to see the importance of this!

Links:

• website