奇速英语

用心守护，爱满“龟”途

In October 2023, a tiny green sea turtle was admitted to the Sea Turtle Care Center. The patient, which was given the name Ricotta, had gotten tangled in fishing line, and was missing a front flipper and part of its beak. More fishing line was found in the turtle’s digestive tract. It took two surgeries to remove it. And there was a long road to recovery ahead.

Ricotta was a memorable patient, says Grace Buschiazzo, a marine biologist at the Sea Turtle Care Center. But Ricotta’s story is not unique. Since the care center opened, in 2000, workers there have seen many turtles affected by entanglement. Other injuries have been caused by boat strikes, cold-stunning, and animal bites.

Buschiazzo is part of a team of biologists, veterinarians, and technicians who care for sea turtles around the clock. “The best part about my job is that every single day is different,” Buschiazzo said. “We like to joke that sea turtle biologists are part-time cleaners, part-time plumbers (水管工), part-time chefs, and part-time nurses. So, basically, whatever the sea turtles need from me, I’m going to do it.”

Buschiazzo was in fourth grade when she decided she wanted to become a marine biologist one day. Then at 15, she went to Panama with the Girl Scouts. She volunteered for a nesting project that helped protect sea turtle eggs from illegal hunters. That’s when she fell in love with sea turtles.

As a sea turtle biologist, Buschiazzo works directly with veterinarians. “They’re going to prescribe the medicine for the turtles and tell me what the turtles need,” she says. “And it’s my job to make sure the turtles are getting it.” Buschiazzo assists the veterinarians with medical procedures. She makes the turtles’ meals and monitors their nutrition. She plans activities that simulate life in the wild. She does everything she can to prepare the turtles to thrive once they’re released back into the ocean.

Buschiazzo recommends that kids interested in a similar career path should volunteer, like she did. “You can do it at an aquarium or at a zoo,” she says. “You can also do it at a local animal shelter. There are lots of ways to help animals.”