Small Humans

I had a busy 7ish days dealing with children and marine animals.   First was Oliver's release.  Oliver was a harp seal who was released at the Ponquogue Bridge in Hampton Bays.  We got there early to set up the barriers for his adoring fans and to answer questions.  Seals are notoriously late to their releases, they tend to put up new and interesting struggles when it comes to getting tagged and settled into the release pens so we usually have time to get all the spectators up to speed on who is getting released and how they came to be in our care.

Oliver is a harp seal who was an "out of habitat" call.  Long story short someone in the Hampton Bays area called up and said "excuse me but there's a seal in my driveway can you help me".  We all know seals prefer decks and patios!

There were a few kids at the release and the biologists can never pass up the opportunity to get the kids involved in the process.  But this was my first time handling the guide boards and Julika is telling the tiny moving seal snacks to "stay right behind Barbara where its safe".  Really?  I'm the safe spot.  The noob with a giant piece of plexiglass?.  Is this a good plan?

This past Friday I did some time in the rescue center at the aquarium.  I figured its the end of the school year it would be quiet-ish.  What an idiot.

One of the school districts sent all its elementary schools.  Two hours of non stop 6, 7 and 8 year old boys and girls.  They were everywhere, touching everything and asking questions all at the same time.  I have no idea where to start when one little voice yells out "HEY LADY".  Hey Lady?  Seriously?  You I need to find.  Little man wanted to know about the turtle shell.

Its a decent sized shell, bout 2 feet long.  He touched it asked a few questions then decided the turtle must have been old.  I told him actually it wasn't that old and that green turtles get to be much larger.  I could see by the look on his face he had doubts as to my knowledge/sanity so I gave him a good look up and down and said.  " I think you'd just about fit the shell, want to try it on" and I lined it up on his back to a perfect fit.  Then I walked said doubting shelled Thomas over to the wall with the big 5 foot shell and told him that was what a full grown green sea turtle shell would look like.  Now of course I was cool and a genius. 

The teacher saw Thomas in the shell and had to take a picture because he was cute.  And then all the other kids wanted to take pictures wearing the shell.  So I spent my afternoon answering questions about Marine Animal rescue, rehab and release while holding a 2 foot preserved turtle shell on the back of  first and second graders for pictures.  I'm 2 steps from wearing a shark costume.  Good thing I went to college.