“Oh my gosh, this can’t be real …”
During one of her usual morning runs along a quiet stretch of Florida’s coastline, Sage LaJoie noticed something unusual lying on the sand. At first, she thought it was simply sunlight reflecting off an object, but as she drew closer, she realized the pale shape was actually the underside of a massive sea turtle lying helplessly on its back.
The beach where LaJoie runs is one of the country’s most important nesting areas for loggerhead sea turtles, making turtle sightings a regular part of her mornings. However, finding one stranded upside down was something entirely different. A powerful wave had apparently thrown the turtle onto the beach, leaving her unable to flip herself over or return to the ocean.
Knowing the turtle was in immediate danger, LaJoie contacted a local sea turtle rescue organization for help. While volunteers promised they were on their way, they couldn’t reach the beach right away. She also reached out to other wildlife rescuers, hoping someone could arrive sooner, but no immediate assistance was available.
Determined not to leave the vulnerable animal alone, LaJoie stayed by her side. She understood that an adult sea turtle can weigh several hundred pounds, making it impossible for one person to safely turn it over without risking injury to the animal.
With time running out, she called her husband, who rushed to the beach to help. Together, they carefully dug away the sand surrounding the turtle’s shell, creating enough space for her flippers to move freely during the rescue. After working together for several tense minutes, they successfully rolled the enormous turtle back onto her stomach.
As soon as the turtle was upright, the couple noticed she had an identification tag attached to one of her flippers and several injuries on her shell that appeared consistent with a collision with a boat. They hoped wildlife specialists would arrive before she returned to the water so her condition could be assessed.
The exhausted turtle rested briefly before instinct took over. Despite her visible injuries, she slowly crawled across the sand and slipped back into the ocean just moments before rescuers reached the scene.
Although the rescue team arrived too late to examine her, LaJoie shared everything she had observed, including details about the turtle’s injuries and identification tag. If the animal is spotted again, rescuers will be able to provide treatment if necessary.
Since that unforgettable morning, LaJoie continues her daily runs with a watchful eye on the shoreline. Beyond enjoying the beauty of Florida’s beaches, she hopes that by remaining alert, she can help protect the sea turtles that depend on those shores for survival.