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 THE
NMLC'S INTERIM FACILITY
The NMLC has created an interim facility to provide pre-release
rehabilitation care for cold-stunned marine turtles and for stranded
seals while fund-raising continues for the full facility.
The opening of the interim facility was celebrated December 4, 2003
and its first patient was admitted on March 30.
Currently, cold-stunned marine turtles are rescued from the beach
by volunteers from the Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary and transported
to the New England Aquarium in Boston for critical care.
However, after the critical care phase, the turtles are shipped
out to other locations for pre-release rehabilitation. In the past
turtles were shipped to Florida, Louisiana and Texas - long transports
which put a turtle's condition at risk.
Now these turtles can come to the NMLC, avoiding the long trip south.
| The Facility |
Two tanks - each 12 feet diameter,
5 feet deep
Heat-controlled room
Salt water - pumped from the Cape Cod Canal, delivered
to the facility as needed
Pumps to circulate the water
Equipment to treat the water - Protein skimmer, biotower,
sand filters, ozone generator
Heat exchanger or chiller to control water temperatures:
range 60 degrees to 80 degrees |
The Staff |
Veterinarian - 40 percent time, shared with New
England Aquarium.
Animal Care Coordinators - one full-time, one part-time
for seven-day-a-week coverageTrained volunteers to assist
with food preparation, medical procedures, cleaning tanks,
and other animal husbandry.
Interns - MA Maritime Academy to monitor systems, perform
regular water quality testing; marine animal veterinary students
from Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine; other
internships to be developed. |
The Costs |
To create the facility: just under $100,000
To operate the facility: about $85,000 every year. |
The Future |
This interim facility is designed to meet a need while
fund-raising continues for the full building renovation.
Most of the equipment will be re-used in the new animal hospital. |
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