Brutal Lightning Strike Can’t Stop Sea Turtle Rescue In NJ (UPDATE)

WEST ORANGE, NJ — In one instant, a bolt of lightning threatened a dream that has been in the making for nearly a decade. But like in the past, hard work and a love for the animals they rescue will be the way that Sea Turtle Recovery climbs back from a devastating fire that happened earlier this week.

The nonprofit – which has a headquarters at the county-run Turtle Back Zoo – is struggling to put the pieces back together after lightning struck their animal hospital and ignited a fire on Wednesday night. See Related: Lightning Strikes Sea Turtle Rescue At Essex County Zoo

Five turtles that were recovering in their care were exposed to heavy smoke, but are now safe and being monitored closely at their temporary new home at the Atlantic Marine Conservation Society’s critical care sea turtle facility.

One of them, Pickles, still isn’t acting normally and eating a full diet. However, the plucky animal has battled other ailments – including “cold-stunning” and a lung infection – and this gutsy nature will give it a fighting chance at a full recovery, the nonprofit says.

It’s an attitude of determination that mirrors their own.

The extent of the damage to their facility at the zoo wasn’t fully known as of Thursday. But a message from Sea Turtle Recovery shows that the dream isn’t over – by a longshot:

“All we can say simply is that seven years ago, this hospital was a dream, and now 122 animals have been released. The turtles never give up, and they have taught us to never give up on them or ourselves. Sea Turtle Recovery is the only long-term care hospital in New Jersey, and WE WILL NOT give up. Again, the turtles are stable. We are making sure they are comfortable. We were blessed for so many circumstances that followed this initial lightning strike. So many things that could have gone wrong, did not. Grateful cannot express it.”

The road to recovery won’t be easy, however.

>> Looking to help? Make a donation through the group’s website at seaturtlerecovery.org or text "SEATURTLE" to 202-858-1233

According to the nonprofit’s website, the Sea Turtle Recovery Center is a 4,000 square foot “state of the art facility” where turtles can have a safe environment to heal – until they can be released.

Prior to Sea Turtle Recovery’s opening, endangered and threatened sea turtles that stranded in New Jersey due to illness or injury could be stabilized in the state, but had to be transferred if they needed long-term care. These turtles had to endure long transports as far south as North Carolina – which has its own risks. See Related: 15 Endangered Sea Turtles Rescued After Car Crash

In the meanwhile, sea turtle strandings have been increasing in the northeast region of the United States, causing several other facilities to hit capacity.

“With this occurring, it did not leave available space for New Jersey’s stranded sea turtles,” the nonprofit says. “Sea Turtle Recovery was created to help these turtles in need.”

The group has also been working on education in the state, helping to “create a voice” for their namesakes.

• See Related: ‘Cold-Stunned’ Sea Turtles Sheltered At Turtle Back Zoo
• See Related: 100 Rescued Sea Turtles In New Jersey; Nonprofit Hits Big Milestone
• See Related: Rehabbed Sea Turtles Returned To Ocean In Point Pleasant Beach

LIGHTNING STRIKE UPDATES

Sea Turtle Recovery has provided two updates since the lightning strike on social media.

The first came on Thursday. It reads:

At approximately 9:40 pm, Sea Turtle Recovery received a call from staff inside the Turtle Back Zoo that lightning had hit our hospital and the building was on fire. We rushed to the Sea Turtle Recovery's hospital and found the West Orange Fire Department and others working to stop the fire. The sea turtles were exposed to heavy smoke so we immediately moved them to a safe building inside the zoo for triage. STR staff and volunteers began doing thorough exams of all our patients, and the zoo staff assisted. A critically endangered Kemp's Ridley, named Pickles, was in our hospital fighting a respiratory infection. During his emergency exam, his heart rate dropped dangerously low. Dr. Paluch, STR's Vet, immediately gave medical instruction to our staff. Pickles was then swam in an emergency pool to stimulate deeper breathing. You cannot imagine our relief when his swimming became regular, and he began exhibiting normal behaviors. Our Loggerhead, a Green Sea Turtle, and all 3 Kemp's were stabilized. We headed the 4hrs to NY as the Atlantic Marine Conservation Society began preparing their tanks for our arrival. Our day has not stopped, and we have been up without rest. The turtles are now safe, and they are being monitored closely.

We know there are so many to thank including the fire department for their quick action that put out the fire, the zoo staff that became our right hand through it all and spotted the fire after the hit, and now the NY team is still helping us. We know some are left out, and we will have more posts soon.

For now, please know that our staff are still preparing tanks which will include new divider purchases, buying food until ours is obtained back in NJ, and will eventually, hopefully, find shifts to rest at a local hotel. Our medicines and supplies are with us.

We can not begin to assess the damage, and we do not know at this time all of the filtration and tank damage that was done. Again, our animals are the current focus. All we can say simply is that 7 years ago this hospital was a dream, and now 122 animals have been released. The turtles never give up, and they have taught us to never give up on them or ourselves. Sea Turtle Recovery is the only long term care hospital in NJ, and WE WILL NOT give up. Again, the turtles are stable. We are making sure they are comfortable. We were blessed for so many circumstances that followed this initial lightning strike. So many things that could have gone wrong, did not. Grateful cannot express it.

If you can, we DESPERATELY need your help. Adoption sponsor our two turtles already online or donate at seaturtlerecovery.org. Also, you can text "SEATURTLE" to 202-858-1233 to donate.

More when there is time. Thank you all.

A second post included an update about Pickles:

Unlike the other sea turtles that were rescued from the fire, Pickles has not ate her full diet, her heart rate has still not reached that optimal 30bpm average (although getting closer), and she is still not quite showing all of her usual behaviors. However, Sea Turtle Recovery is not crazy enough to doubt this critically endangered Kemp's Ridley's determination and will power! Pickles has shown us time and time again that for every set back, she will fight harder. Pictures in the post include a photo from when she was first brought to our hospital inside the Turtle Back Zoo. She had cold stunned and had a lung infection. Also pictured is a photo of her preparing for x-rays last month that looked for any problems with her digestive system. She simply never gives up, and each treatment has brought her one flipper closer to recovery. Being critically endangered, she is fighting for herself and her species!

Last night, Pickles and four other sea turtles were rescued after Sea Turtle Recovery's hospital was struck by lightning and caught on fire. The West Orange Fire Department managed to quickly put out the fire, and Turtle Back Zoo staff helped us stabilize our patients. We cannot begin to thank them!

We drove our patients to The Atlantic Marine Conservation Society where their team has assisted us every step of the way. Pickle's latest exam photos are also attached. We will let you know updates as they come, but perhaps after we get some sleep!

To donate, visit our website at seaturtlerecovery.org or Text "SEATURTLE" to 202-858-1233.

Thank you for EVERYONE who has helped us save these five amazing sea turtles. We're hoping to get rescue video from our security cameras once our building is safe...follow us!

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