Dylan's release marks the end of a chapter in a story that began 10 years ago, about the same time I came to the Georgia coast. She and a sibling, Bob, were rescued as hatchlings and were being cared for at what was then Coastal Encounters Nature Center (now Tidelands Nature Center). Cathy Tobler and Georgia Graves, who ran the center, were among the first people I met. (I still run into Georgia here and there on the island -- hi, Georgia!)
Dylan responded very well to the care and attention, which was considerable. She grew so much, in fact, that she was moved briefly from Jekyll Island to the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta where she made thousands of new friends, aquatic and human. She returned to Jekyll Island last May, as one of the first residents of the Georgia Sea Turtle Center.
Her residency was not intended to be permanent. Rather, the staff at the Sea Turtle Center began preparing Dylan for life on her own, independent of humans. When her carapace, or upper shell, reached more than 50 centimeters long and she could hunt and capture live food, it was determined that she was ready.
Thus began the preparations for her release. Newspapers throughout Georgia and, I presume, the rest of the country have been telling Dylan's tale in preparation for this day, which has been called "bittersweet" in some headlines. There were even rumors that ABC's "Good Morning America" would be covering the event.
In this day of what seems to be a never-ending stream of bad, depressing or simply depraved news stories, it's nice to read a story that has some heart and soul.
I wasn't there for Dylan's release, just as I wasn't there when she was rescued. Nonetheless, I and countless others, have some connection with this magnificent creature.
Take care, Dylan. Safe travels. God bless you.
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