Save_Turtles: The state of Florida is looking at a plan that would move turtle eggs out of the path of the oil.

Save_Turtles: Well it all depends on species but the average open ocean speed would be about 4 miles an hour.

Save_Turtles: So far Audubon Nature Institute in New Orleans is caring for a total of 106 sea turtles. All our turtles are about the size of a dinner plate with the exception of a 6 pound loggerhead we call Big Momma. It took 7 of us to handle her and clean her when she came into the Institute.

Save_Turtles: None of the turtles will be released until the environment is deemed healthy. We will be holding on to the turtles for as long as needed. It could be a few months or several years.

Save_Turtles: The first turtle that came into our care we spent over an hour cleaning, we were very determined. Now we have it down to a science and it takes about 15 minutes.

Save_Turtles: The number of turtles per week varies, it depends on weather mostly and if that prevents the boats from searching. The most we ever got in one night was 14.

Save_Turtles: I believe you are asking about how the oil has affected the population of turtles, it is too early to tell. This is the first case of sea turtles being in an oil spill.

Save_Turtles: Well it depends on what aspect you are asking, out of the 109 sea turtles that have been brought into our care; we have lost a total of 3. We are still waiting for reports to tell us exactly what happened but upon exam, oil was found in their bodies.

Save_Turtles: Fossils date back to the time of dinosaurs for one species of sea turtles. It is the only species of sea turtle that is extinct.

Save_Turtles: This is a great question and I think time will tell, if they can get the oil off the beaches fast enough so it doesn’t seep down deep then the nesting grounds should be ok. If the oil damages coral reef systems that may pose a different situation since turtles like green sea turtles live there.

Save_Turtles: I don’t think anyone can give an accurate guess on the total number that will be effected by the spill, we do feel however that the Kemp’s Ridley will be the most impacted since this is the time of year they migrate through the Gulf of Mexico. There are only around 3000 left.

Save_Turtles: Most hatchlings are around the size of a silver dollar, very tiny.

Save_Turtles: There are five species found in the Gulf of Mexico, Green, Loggerhead, Leatherback, Hawksbill and Kemp’s Ridley.

Save_Turtles: We have two boat teams from NOAA and LDWF that go searching where the oil line meets with the current and sargassum grass and they search for the turtles.

Save_Turtles: The teams use what is called a dip net, like a big fishing net and they scoop down in the water and pull them into the boats then once the boats dock they are driven to us.

Save_Turtles: Well when the oil reaches the beach it can seep down into the nest and penetrate the eggs, this would not be good for the turtles inside.

Save_Turtles: Scientists have been worried about the oil getting into what is called the Loop Current which would take it around Florida and up the eastern seaboard of the US if this happens then I believe it will go to the Caribbean and other areas.

Save_Turtles: The explosion on the Deepwater Horizon oil rig happened on April 20th and two days later it sank, I believe we are on day 73 or 74.

Save_Turtles: We first run a little vegetable oil on them which helps to break down the crude oil and then we use Dawn dish soap and a toothbrush; we clean their eyes and mouth with mayo. Mayo helps gently breakdown and remove the oil.

Save_Turtles: This is the first oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico and they are using a lot of the same principles that have been used in spills past, some things work the same others not so well. There are things with the cleanup effort that don’t make sense to a lot of people but we just focus on our job which is to take care of every animal brought to us.

Save_Turtles: This is nesting season for sea turtles and it usually peaks around late July through August.

Save_Turtles: Normal life span of a sea turtle is roughly 80-100 years, with reptiles it is really hard to tell what their age is unless you have them since birth. It takes them a very long time to grow up usually about 30 years.

Save_Turtles: Once the turtles reach shore most are very lethargic or tired, most are dehydrated and some have other medical needs which are all addressed by our staff. Every turtle is treated as critical for several days.

Save_Turtles: Yes the oil does get inside the turtles, we see it in their mouths and nostrils which we clean out, we also give them a dose of mayo and cod liver oil to help flush out any oil they may have eaten.

Save_Turtles: Well it all depends on species, Green sea turtles as adults love to eat veggies while other species like the Kemp’s Ridley love crab. We feed them crab, fish, squid, and clam.

Save_Turtles: There have been several species of birds affected especially the Brown Pelican. We are also ready to help dolphins and manatees should they become affected too. Also lots of fish.

Save_Turtles: A lot of our turtles have come in the same way, covered beak to tail inside and out with the oil. The worst is when it is covering their eyes for me.

Save_Turtles: I don’t think the researchers even know how much has flown from the well into the ocean yet, last I heard I think they were estimating around 100 million barrels.

Save_Turtles: Other countries are sending equipment for BP to use to skim and collect the oil, you guys are helping save actual sea turtles that the Audubon Nature Institute are taking care of, which is awesome! By playing the Sea Turtle GoodQuest, a donation will be made to our turtle efforts so every effort helps. Thank you all for helping us.

Save_Turtles: Well I must say Tayroo that the oil is spilling in the Gulf as we speak, the leak and flow is about 50 miles off the coast of Louisiana.

Save_Turtles: The hope is that the sea turtles will find new habitats once they learn they cannot live in theirs anymore.

Save_Turtles: Well cool, just by playing this game you are helping, I know the goal is 200,000 virtual turtles and it is about 60% complete so keep playing.

Save_Turtles: Audubon Nature Institute is the only organization in Louisiana caring for the turtles, there is 1 place in Mississippi and 2 in Florida.

Save_Turtles: I think some of their food has been affected; the smaller turtles float around in beds of sea grass and eat the creatures in the sea grass such as small crabs and fish which are covered in oil. The oil has also impacted the shrimp.

Save_Turtles: Yes, we will hold onto all the turtles until their environment is deemed healthy and safe for their return, if we get too many turtles other AZA accredited facilities have offered space for holding as well. We are in this for the long haul.