In a tank with a view of a seaward boardwalk, Scute the sea turtle swims, accompanied by two small fish doing laps around her.
People who walk up the ramp to the visitor’s center at John D. MacArthur Beach State Park can get a close-up view of the 2-year-old female loggerhead in her home — which will soon get some upgrades.
The park in North Palm Beach received a $20,000 grant for repairs to the outdoor turtle tank, the Florida State Parks Foundation announced Oct. 20.
The money coming from The Batchelor Foundation, which 12 years ago provided funds to install a tank inside the visitor center, will go to aquarium equipment, filtration systems and pumps to help the quality of the water.
Scute, and other turtles that cycle through the tank, will get a good home before they are released. And visitors get a good view. The Florida State Parks Foundation relies on that.
Most people in the general public don’t ever see a sea turtle, said Julia Gill Woodward, the chief executive officer of the foundation. The park is a place to learn about the long-living marine animals, but curiosity can be kicked off by a sighting.
“One-time interactions people have can really spark interests,” Woodward said.
Woodward credits the Friends of MacArthur for their work on the project and in educating the public about marine life.
As the only state park in Florida with a permit from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to house and nurture sea turtles, MacArthur Beach encourages encounters.
With additional funding the foundation is seeking, Woodward said, there’s talk of getting a third turtle tank, which would also be outdoors.
Right now, MacArthur hosts two female loggerheads in the Sea Turtle Ambassador Education Program: Scute, in the outdoor tank, and Pip, a sea turtle under a year old, inside.
Once Scute’s shell reaches 45 centimeters, she’ll be released. And Pip will be moved to the outdoor tank, newly repaired and one step closer to the ocean.