Florida native Sage LaJoie is used to seeing sea animals along her favorite running route in Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge.
“When you spend as much time on the beach as I do, it’s pretty likely you’re going to come across marine life that needs help,” LaJoie wrote in an Instagram post.
On July 13, LaJoie’s penchant for keeping her head on a swivel paid off. In the early morning light, she told The DoDo that she saw something that “didn’t look right.”
“As I got closer, I realized it was the sunlight reflecting off a sea turtle’s light-colored belly,” LaJoie said. “I thought to myself, ‘Oh my gosh, this can’t be real.’”
It was a massive loggerhead sea turtle flipped on its back in the sand.
Screenshot via sagelajoie/Instagram
The timing was incredible. LaJoie explained that she had just helped another distressed sea turtle less than 24 hours earlier.
“I found this loggerhead sea turtle the day after I dug the stuck sea turtle out from under the boardwalk-crossover,” LaJoie said in her Instagram caption. “So, two sea turtle rescues in two days!”
Immediately, LaJoie called her local Sea Turtle Preservation Society for help. Although sea turtle stranding coordinators agreed to assist her, they informed LaJoie that it would be a long time before they could reach her location.
So, LaJoie reached out to two more rescuers in hopes of receiving faster support.
“I really, really wanted someone to get there quickly,” LaJoie told The DoDo. “Unfortunately, one didn’t text back, and one was pretty far away.”
Loggerheads are one of seven species of sea turtles — and all but one, the green sea turtle, are currently listed as endangered. Under the Endangered Species Act, it is illegal to touch a sea turtle.
Screenshot via sagelajoie/Instagram
When encountering a sea turtle in the wild, experts recommend calling local authorities or marine conservation organizations.
“Handling sea turtles without proper training and permits is illegal and can cause further harm to the animal,” the Loggerhead Marinelife Center cautions. “Turtles, especially those entangled in fishing gear or showing signs of illness, require professional care. Untrained handling can exacerbate their injuries or introduce infections.”
However, in extreme circumstances, wildlife authorities may ask Good samaritans to intervene on the sea turtle’s behalf.
“I could never leave a sea turtle alone in that position,” LaJoie said. “They are super vulnerable and can’t defend themselves at all.”
On average, adult loggerheads can weigh between 155 and 400 pounds, depending on their gender. LaJoie knew she couldn’t lift it on her own.
“As much as I wish I could, I’m not capable of flipping a sea turtle by myself,” she wrote on Instagram. “But … my husband to the rescue! I called him, and he quickly drove to my location, helped me dig around the sea turtle so we could safely flip her, and we got her on her flippers again!”
LaJoie said that the sea turtle was clearly “exhausted,” and rested on the sand for a while before she made her way back to the ocean.
Screenshot via sagelajoie/Instagram
“Another sea turtle success story!” she wrote.
If you find a sea turtle in distress, you can call 1-800-SEATURTLE or use the NOAA Fisheries Stranding Contact Page to find 24-hour hotlines for your region.
See LaJoie’s full rescue below:
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Featured Image: Screenshot via sagelajoie/Instagram
