"Gimpy!"

Nest excavations are conducted in order to determine the nest success of sea turtles. Usually this activity is carried out approximately 2 days after signs of hatchlings are noticed. While an excavation can be a very sad occasion, given that we are usually unearthing piles of dead hatchlings covered with maggots as well as unhatched eggs and predated shells,it can also be a life-changing experience. This was recently the case as Krista-a volunteer and I began to gently pull away the sand that had kept these baby turtles protected for over 2 months. After having a crab jump out and scare us almost to pieces and  with the smell of death in our faces, we cautiously continued to dig. We had only removed a few centimeters of sand, already losing hope that any life existed, when I noticed a small wing-like movement. Krista and I screamed and gasped, unable to contain our overwhelming excitement. “It’s a hatchling! Oh my God, it’s a hatchling!”

Trying to stay calm, I continued to slowly pull the sand away from around the tiny miracle. As I lifted the tiny palm-sized reptile- it was breathtaking. This was the first time I had ever seen a hatchling! I was astonished that such a small creature could one day expand to over 170 cm in length (head and tail not included).

Tired and seemingly weak, the baby leatherback walked around in circles, quite disoriented. Finally locating what was the horizon it began to scurry down the beach towards the sea.  “Gimpy” as we called it for the way its left front flipper seemed to not have fully unfolded, approached the water and laid sprawled on the beach waiting for the right wave.  Several waves came that left Gimpy behind. Each time Krista and I stood frozen in position so as not to accidentally step on our new friend. Finally, a wave came that was powerful enough and swept Gimpy off in the blue tides. As we watched this unfold,  we silently prayed that this precious life would be able to overcome all the obstacles that lay ahead in the unknown depths of its new home.