Allison's Survival Is Really Our Own

Baby steps, or baby strokes, are in Allison´s future thanks to the work of a handful of people who changed her destiny forever. The young Atlantic Green sea turtle, who lost three out of four flippers due to attempted predation as a baby, is in line to receive a prosthetic flipper that is in the works at the University of Texas. The silicon flipper is undergoing design tests and adjustments while the veterinarians decide how best to attach the appendage, providing Allison with a good chance for a more normal existence. A gift of a better life for a fighter who captured the hearts of her caregivers.

What difference does it make? She still can not be released into the wild where she would surely perish. Why spend valuable resources on giving some turtle one flipper when she lost three? Allison will continue to require high maintenance involving constant care and many man hours to maintain her existence in some out of the way non-profit where turtle lovers congregate on their days off. What´s the point? Some believe she should still be euthanized or let nature take its course.

But, it has been a long time since we allowed nature to ´take its course ´, and look at the outcome. Our duty to protect our environment is even more compelling in light of the resultant grave condition nature now reveals. The current plight of our red-listed species continues spiraling down at a disheartening rate, showing us in no uncertain terms the consequences of our thoughtless actions.

Many look upon the sea as one of the last great frontiers available to man. The ocean appears as a boundless cache of riches, offering wealth and prosperity to those who can harvest the spoils and harness the power. As the population increases, the demands are higher. Are we increasingly fighting for survival, or are we really losing our survival in the fight?

Our oceans have long been a dumping ground for waste material. Trash is unceremoniously dumped into our waterways, fouling the life streams that feed our shores. Many beautiful beaches are often closed because of sewage spills or deregulation that leads to more dumping making the waters unsafe for any living being. Oil slicks kill countless species in and around the ocean, affecting not only the basic populations, but man as well by taking away his livelihood--one needs to look no further than the Exxon Valdez to know that truth. Bay and estuary life suffer leaving little for predation, resulting in increasing die-offs of shocking magnitude. Dead and dying lobsters are the latest evidence that something is terribly wrong off our northeastern coastline.

Once on the sea, many waste our resources by ignoring laws and regulations protecting pelagic species against over fishing, excess harvesting of parts and perpetuating the collateral damage of species caught and killed in the fishing and netting process. Naval sonar exercises cause life-threatening injuries to cetaceans who utilize echolocation for survival. Sharks are routinely hunted by those who slice fins off while the shark is still alive then throw the mutilated animal back in the water to die. Dolphins are caught up in major netting operations, drowning as they become entangled.

By misusing our natural resources we have placed ourselves in a precarious position of survival. It is estimated at least one plant species each day meets extinction because of development, and many animal species are on the brink of not only endangerment but frank extinction. Will this affect us as we move forward in this century? Though we may not yet know how, the answer is a resounding yes. Our symbiotic relationships are dwindling away at a time when we desperately need to save them. Our inability to regulate our greed causes environmental fatigue. It´s as simple as that.

So what of our little Atlantic Green sea turtle, Allison? She is an ambassador of life, reminding us and educating us on the importance of caring for all living beings. Yes, she was merely a victim of a natural predator; but in our stewardship, and with our knowledge, we are in a position to help her live a life beyond what she faced without human intervention. Someone saw life in that tiny vulnerable shell. Someone had hope that she could be saved. Someone stepped up to the plate, accepting the challenge of helping her survive. As we help her live, she helps us learn.

Allison´s survival is our own survival. Only when we start protecting and giving back will Nature really take her course.

And we are doing that--in baby steps.