14th Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Sustainable Travel
Saving a baby endangered sea turtle we found while vacationing in North Carolina

While vacationing at the beach early one morning, we discovered a baby sea turtle who had clearly hatched the night before but was unable to push it's way through the breaking surf. We moved the turtle to a safe location away from the crashing waves and then called a turtle rescue organization. Our kids named the turtle Shelly and were very careful with it, only handling it when absolutely necessary. The turtle rescue person came and looked the baby turtle over, declaring it healthy but exhausted. She then said she would take it home and let it rest for the day and then release it again that evening. This baby was unlikely to survive without intervention, but because of what we did, it now has a chance to live and grow and have it's own babies someday. I think all travel should include searching out ways to help local and endangered wildlife and we always seek out opportunities such as this one.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 09.2014
Date Uploaded: 11.2016
Photo Location: Oak Island, North Carolina, United States of America
Copyright: © Heather Stafford