We loved our visit to the Georgia Sea Turtle Center on Jekyll Island during our vacation in Georgia last week. This facility houses an active sea turtle hospital, along with an educational center.
According to their website:
The Georgia Sea Turtle Center was created and is operated by the Jekyll Island Authority as a primary conservation program dedicated to increasing awareness through sea turtle education, rehabilitation, and research programs. The Georgia Sea Turtle Center empowers individuals to act locally, regionally, and globally to protect the environment.
Most, if not all, sea turtle species are on the Endangered List. This is the result of many factors:
- poaching and over-exploitation
- habitat destruction
- accidental capture in fishing gear
- boat strikes (many, many turtles are injured this way)
- climate change impact on turtle nesting sites
Some of the sea turtles in residence at the GSTC hospital are the unfortunate victims of boat strikes and entanglement in fishing gear. We saw several that had undergone fin (leg) amputation.
The turtle recuperating in this tub is named Kayleigh Kakes, after Kayleigh Mooney, a 15 year old girl who died in a tragic accident in August of this year. The turtle was named in honor of the donations made in her memory. Please take a moment to read this article about her. Rest in peace, Kayleigh.
Our visit was very informative – I call myself an animal advocate yet I learned so many new things – and while it saddened me a bit, I am also heartened to know that there is this great organization trying to manage the damage and provide care for the turtles who need assistance.
4 Comments
So good that they help injured and sick turtles in need!
Yes. It seemed to be a very nicely done organization, to boot.
Thank you for taking time to mention my daughter, Kayleigh Mooney, in your post about the Georgia Sea Turtle Center. I just came across it. Kayleigh Kakes was released in June 2018. Kayleigh’s Mommy was there in the water for the release while I was home with little brother. My daughter is a warrior who championed woman’s rights and the well being of the sea turtles. Thank you again for your kind words. Kayleigh is very much alive in her spiritual form and walks with us very clearly everyday and we build upon our amazing relationship daily. Blessings to you. – Kevin Mooney
Hello Mr. Mooney,
I am deeply touched to read your words. From reading about Kayleigh I know that she is a very special young woman. I was moved to tears reading the article about her.
I’m happy to hear that Kayleigh Kakes was released. I know it must have meant a lot to your daughter that her Mom was there for the release. It is so nice to hear that Kayleigh’s spirit is alive and present. I lost my Dad almost 3 years ago. While we did have a very good relationship, sometimes I feel that I talk with him now more than ever. I reach out to him for guidance all the time and I hear his words very clearly.
Thank you so much again for being in touch.
Angela