Running along Florida's Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge, Sage LaJoie often spots marine life. It's just part of the job when your morning jog doubles as a wildlife patrol. But on July 13th, the early morning light revealed something truly absurd: a giant loggerhead sea turtle, completely flipped onto its back, belly up in the sand.
Because apparently, that's where we are now. Two sea turtle rescues in two days for LaJoie, who just 24 hours prior had dug another loggerhead out from under a boardwalk. The universe, it seems, had decided she was the designated sea turtle savior.
The Emergency Flip
LaJoie immediately called her local Sea Turtle Preservation Society. They were on it, they said, just not quickly on it. So she tried two more rescuers. One no-showed, the other was in a different zip code. This left LaJoie with a 400-pound problem and a rapidly ticking clock.
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Start Your News DetoxNow, here's the kicker: it's highly illegal to touch a sea turtle. The Endangered Species Act is pretty clear on this, and experts usually tell you to call the pros. Untrained handling can make things worse, or, you know, land you in jail. But a flipped turtle? That's a death sentence. They can't defend themselves, can't breathe properly, and are basically a giant, immobile snack bar for predators.
LaJoie, clearly, was in an extreme situation. She knew she couldn't flip the massive creature alone. So, like any good spouse in a crisis, she called her husband. He arrived promptly, and together, they dug around the turtle, then carefully — and probably with a fair bit of grunting — managed to roll her back onto her flippers.
The turtle, understandably, was exhausted. It rested for a bit, perhaps contemplating its life choices or just catching its breath, before lumbering back into the ocean. Another sea turtle success story, orchestrated by a runner, her husband, and a very inconveniently positioned reptile.
If you ever find yourself in a similar, bewildering situation (and let's hope you don't), the number to call is 1-800-SEATURTLE. Because some heroes wear running shoes, and some just answer the phone when their spouse calls for backup.
