Florida Runner and Husband Flip Stranded Sea Turtle to Safety

Sage LaJoie was running along her usual route at Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge when something caught her eye in the early morning light. A flash of pale color against the sand turned out to be the belly of a massive loggerhead sea turtle flipped upside down and completely helpless.

LaJoie immediately called the Sea Turtle Preservation Society for help. But when coordinators told her it would be a long time before they could arrive, she knew the endangered turtle couldn't wait.

The situation was urgent. Loggerhead sea turtles are listed as endangered under federal law, making it illegal to touch them without proper permits. Wildlife experts strongly recommend calling authorities instead of intervening, as untrained handling can cause further harm or introduce infections.

But this was an extreme circumstance. LaJoie reached out to two more rescuers, hoping someone could arrive quickly to help the stranded animal. When both options fell through, she faced a difficult decision.

"I could never leave a sea turtle alone in that position," LaJoie told The DoDo. "They are super vulnerable and can't defend themselves at all."

Adult loggerheads weigh between 155 and 400 pounds, far too heavy for LaJoie to flip alone. She called her husband, who quickly drove to her location on the beach.

Together, they dug around the exhausted turtle to create space for a safe flip. With careful teamwork, they got the massive creature back on her flippers.

Sunny's Take

This wasn't even LaJoie's first sea turtle rescue that week. Just 24 hours earlier, she had helped dig another stuck turtle out from under a boardwalk crossover. Her habit of staying alert during her beach runs has turned her into an accidental guardian for Florida's endangered marine life.

After the flip, the exhausted turtle rested on the sand for several minutes before making her way back to the ocean. LaJoie watched as the loggerhead disappeared into the waves, another success story for someone who refuses to look the other way.

Anyone who finds a sea turtle in distress can call 1-800-SEATURTLE or visit the NOAA Fisheries Stranding Contact Page for regional 24-hour hotlines.