There are 7 species worldwide: Loggerhead, Green, Leatherback, Hawksbill, Kemp’s Ridley, Flatback, and Olive Ridley. The first 3 of which are the most common nesters on Florida beaches.

Loggerhead

The Loggerhead Sea Turtle is named for its unusually large head. Their diet consists of crustaceans and mollusks and they average 200-300 pounds or so. Their major threats are incidental catch in shrimp trawl nets and over development of nesting habitat.

Green

The Green Sea Turtle is named for the color of its body fat. They are herbivorous and primarily eat sea grasses and algae. They often weigh 300-400 pounds. Traditionally, the green sea turtle was the most hunted turtle for its meat, the main ingredient in turtle soup, and individual populations struggled. Green sea turtles can also acquire fibropapilloma tumors which were first discovered in the 1930s. Scientists are still trying to learn the causes of these tumors. The tumors can be all sizes – as large as a grapefruit, and cover any soft tissue area –flippers, head, eyes, mouth, even internal organs.

Leatherback

The Leatherback Sea Turtle is the most extreme sea turtle, diving to depths of 4000 feet and living in cold waters off the coast of Nova Scotia at times, probably to feed on large populations of jellyfish. They weigh between 1000 and 2000 pounds.

Hawksbill

The Hawksbill Sea Turtle can be found around reefs feeding on sponges. Their populations have been threatened due to hunting of the turtles for their shells to make jewelry and to decorate the home.

Deepwater Horizon Response Volunteer Request Line at 1-866-448-5816

To Volunteer in your state, please visit the appropriate website below. It is very important that you do not touch any oil, tar balls, or oiled wildlife! Please call your local Emergency Operations Center!

Florida

• Palm Beach County

Louisiana

Mississippi

Alabama

For more information regarding the oil spill in Florida, please visit Florida’s DEP and view information below from

Martin B. Main, PhD
Professor, Wildlife Ecology and Conservation University of Florida
Program Leader, Florida Master Naturalist Program

For the most accurate and up-to-date information on the spill and containment efforts, please refer to the official website for the Deepwater Horizon Response at: http://www.deepwaterhorizonresponse.com/go/site/2931/

This website has a great deal of information, including daily updates.

To see an image of the approximate extent of the spread of the spill in the Gulf, as reported and prepared by USA Today, go to: http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/oil-spill-map.htm.

Volunteer assistance is needed and the official FLORIDA volunteer response website for the Deep Horizon Oil Spill is through the Governor’s Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service at: http://www.volunteerfloridadisaster.org/

There are many links for various volunteer activities on this website.

Note that a companion website: http://www.1-800-volunteer.org/1800Vol/volunteerflorida/viewEventDetails.do?eventId=31601

Specifies that:

“Volunteers will not be in direct contact with oil or oil-contaminated materials. Oil-contaminated materials will only be handled by trained, paid workers such as Qualified Community Responders (QCR) and not by volunteers. Oiled wildlife will only be handled by trained, contracted professionals. Even though volunteer opportunities with the oil spill are limited, volunteer opportunities in your local community are limitless. Many organizations need support and service now more than ever. The oil spill is bringing communities together, and your volunteer service strengthens local responding groups. Thank you for the time you give now, and the time you will continue to give after the oil spill.”

However, there may be a great deal of assistance needed doing other services, and I encourage you to register.

Additional ways to assist and report important information include:

Reporting oiled wildlife – the FLORIDA hotline to call to report oiled wildlife is: 1-866-557-1401

Reporting oil on the shoreline - the FLORIDA hotline to call to report oiled wildlife is: 1-877-272-8335 (1-877-2-SAVE-FL) or #DEP from your cell phone.

Two documents that provide useful information regarding oil spill reporting can be viewed (and printed) online at:

http://www.volunteerfloridadisaster.org/Deepwater/docs/OilSpillReportingGuide.pdf

http://www.volunteerfloridadisaster.org/Deepwater/docs/OilFactSheet.pdf

Enjoy!

Many of our members and volunteers located in Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and Florida in the Gulf area have contacted our organization for information regarding rescue and protection efforts and who to call. We suggest you contact local authorities.

Fish and Wildlife Conservation

In Alabama or Mississippi - (404)679-7154

In Louisiana - (334)242-3465 or 24 hour hotline (251)476-1256

In Florida - (866)557-1401

Photos of Animal Victims can be found at Fox News.

Wow, how wonderful of the National Sea Turtle Foundation to host these inner city kids to a day at the Palm Beach Zoo.  On one hot Sunday in October, Steven Allair, picked up the kids as usual, but this time instead of going to Sunday school they were treated to a day at the Zoo with lunch.  Fortunately we got help from Jack and Arlene to help watch the children.  We split up the group and got a tour from the guides at the Palm Beach Zoo to help teach them about all the animals.  Sunday School at its finest to visually see them and educate them about the habitat of God’s creations.

Larry Wood also graced us with his presence to help teach the group and answer those special questions kids can only ask.   It definitely was a challenge to keep 24 children separate but yet together at the Palm Beach Zoo to experience the uniqueness of all these creatures.

One of the highlights was the interactive play fountain.  Even I got into a great soak while running through the water spouts.  Watching the monkeys on the Siamong Island grab the tail of a 4’ Iguana while swinging from a rope was definitely a sight to see, all the while knowing he was putting on a show for us.  Comparing themselves to the height of a black bear and polar bears was mind opening to the true size these creatures could get.  Strolling through and along the shaded pathways and bridges leading over streams and ponds to discover another animal around the corner was awesome for the kids.  Reaching the tiger habitat and seeing this magnificent creature 3’ from the chain link fence pacing back and forth again and again, almost face to face seeing the true beauty of this large cat in his award winning habitat exhibit was a very close and personal experience for all of us. The children are still talking about this trip.

HOORAH FOR THE NATIONAL SAVE THE SEA TURTLE FOUNDATION.  ALWAYS ENLIGHTENING CHILDREN TO THE CREATURES THAT SURROUND THE EARTH.  Thank you from all of us.

Helena Schaff