Name that Turtle!
VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITE TURTLE NAME HERE!
Time to play the name game! The North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher invites the public to help name a curious green sea turtle currently living in the Cape Fear Shoals exhibit.
The turtle arrived as a hatchling to the Aquarium after a late season nest in Emerald Isle was excavated due to cold weather in November 2010. The animal, officially identified as CM06, weighed less than one ounce (28 grams) and measured slightly longer than 2 inches (5.8 centimeters). The animal was suffering from a respiratory infection and other medical issues for which it received treatment.
Successful rehabilitation and permitting from the North Carolina Wildlife Resource Commission allowed CM06 to grow and thrive while remaining at the Aquarium to help educate the public on the plight of sea turtles. Green sea turtles are threatened in North Carolina and endangered in other areas of the United States. Yet, the animal received no official name.
“Luna, the albino alligator, is the only Aquarium animal currently named,” said Aquarium Director Peggy Sloan. “Our friends and visitors helped pick Luna’s name and it suits her perfectly. We have faith the same will be true for our green sea turtle. It’s time for this special animal to have a name.”
Aquarium staff selected three names for the public to choose from: Emerald, Jade and Sheldon. The public can vote for their favorite name until August 5 using links on the Aquarium’s Facebook page and here. In addition, visitors to the Aquarium can cast a vote with monetary donations for their pick. One dollar equals one vote with donations benefitting conservation and education efforts.
The winning name will be unveiled during an Aquarium dive show the week of August 5 and announced online.
