A memory for life

Today I received a text message from a mom at school announcing that Fisherman's Cove was releasing baby sea turtles! Of course those of you that know me, know that I had to be there! I had an idea what it would be like from a friend but it was so awesome to be able to be a part of this! The Olive Ridley Sea Turtle commonly lays it's eggs on the shores of the Bay of Bengal but often the eggs are endangered by dogs, seagulls and crabs so a group of volunteers have formed Turtle Walks. People walk the beaches between January and March and when turtles are found laying the eggs the eggs are then dug up and moved to a protected site and buried one foot deep in the sand. Then approximately 40-45 days later the turtles start to hatch. The turtles are then gathered and released into the ocean. I was asking the man in charge how he marked the nests. It appears that it is like a treasure hunt, take 10 steps, then turn 15 steps, etc! They indeed found the nest as there must have been at least 150 turtles that we released. They were about 1 1/2 -2 inches in diameter and were quite active. A few still had the yolk sack hanging from their belly. Each of us got to release 5-6 into the sea. The turtles were gently placed on the sand and the waves carried them out to sea. What a site to see these turtles take their first swim and we were there to witness it! Awesome! Unfortunately only about 10 percent live to be full grown turtles. I look forward to going on the turtle walk next year!