Hero in a Half-Shell

The Root family recently discovered this beached sea turtle and reported it to the Audubon Society

Christine Root

What should you do if you find yourself face-to-face with a large washed up sea animal? That’s exactly what Matt Root had to ask when he and his two sons, Owen and Parker, came across a washed up turtle - a sight not as uncommon as you’d think in our area - while walking along the beach in Westport on the Fourth of July. Matt did the right thing by calling the Mass. Audubon at Wellfleet Bay. They came down to the beach to conduct an autopsy on the washed up turtle and further our knowledge of these beautiful creatures. “There were other people who had seen the turtle and not done anything,” says Christine Root, Matt’s mother. She adds, “I think that they just had no idea what to do, and it’s important for people to know how to handle this type of situation.” The Mass. Audubon works to protect, as well as expand our knowledge of, the area’s wildlife. They run the Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary, which features two 700-gallon aquariums and acts as a home for a huge range of native animals, including marine life, birds and more. If you see a stranded turtle on the beach, call the Mass. Audubon at 508-349-2615 to report it.