Captain’s Lifelong Mission to Rescue Cold-Stunned Sea Turtles in the Gulf of Mexico
Captain Brandon Upton, a commercial mariner based in Corpus Christi, has been dedicated to saving lives, especially cold, imperiled, and scaley ones. His passion for rescuing sea turtles began unexpectedly during a chilly afternoon in 2018.
A Shocking Discovery in the Gulf
While operating his boat in the Gulf of Mexico, Upton noticed a dark shadow floating nearby. Initially dismissing it, he soon realized the shadow was a sea turtle. As more and more turtles appeared, Upton grew concerned.
“I didn’t touch it, because I know they are endangered and protected,” Upton told The Dodo. “In all my years on the water, I had never seen anything like it.”
The Phenomenon of Cold-Stunning
Instead of attempting to rescue the turtles himself, Upton wisely contacted the San Padre Island National Seashore ecologists, who explained that the turtles were cold-stunned. Cold-stunning happens when the water temperature drops below 56°F, causing cold-blooded turtles to enter a comatose state, making them vulnerable to boat strikes, drowning, and even land predators.
Rescue Efforts Each Winter
Since that first encounter, Upton has taken it upon himself to monitor the waters for cold-stunned turtles every winter. If the water temperatures drop too low, Upton brings out his airboat to rescue any turtles he finds, loading them up into the boat and transporting them to safety.
“While sea turtle rescue typically requires special training, we started in an emergency situation,” Upton recalls. “We picked up two or three boatloads of floating turtles that very first day.”
A Community Effort for Conservation
Once the turtles are safely on board, Upton brings them to San Padre Island, where ecologists at a rehabilitation center gradually warm the turtles back to life. After being treated, the turtles are released back into the wild, with a second chance at life.
Upton describes his dedication to rescuing sea turtles as “only natural.” As a part of the close-knit boating community, he’s always ready to lend a hand, especially when it comes to animals. Whether he’s helping cold-stunned turtles or carefully escorting a spider outside, Upton considers every creature a part of his second family.
Upton’s efforts over the past seven years have been completely pro bono, driven by a love for animals and a commitment to protecting these endangered species.