Scott Hedges, an avid citizen scientist, has emerged as a beacon of hope amidst the devastation caused by a recent algal bloom affecting marine life along the coast. As an olive ridley juvenile looked up at him, Hedges was disproportionately struck by his walk with his kids through Seaford and Moana. At first, he assumed the turtle was dead. This finding has galvanized support for conservation at the local level. It also draws attention to the immediate environmental crises facing our marine ecosystems.
Since the start of the algal bloom, Hedges has documented more than 100 marine animal fatalities. He recorded all of these discoveries on the citizen science platform iNaturalist. The bloom has raised great concern and alarm for local communities and scientists. This has raised more alarms over its cumulative impacts on marine life and coastal ecosystems. Hedges’ findings add extremely valuable data to the scant resources aimed at understanding the depth of this crisis.
Discovery and Rescue
On a normal trip with her family, Hedges felt the difference while walking in the surf at the beach.
“Just before reaching Moana, I spotted something that looked unusual against the seaweed. As I approached, I realised it was a young sea turtle, and I was sure it was dead like everything else.” – Scott Hedges
Upon getting closer, he discovered it was a very lonesome turtle who was alive but having a hard time. Understanding that time was of the essence, he didn’t hesitate in deciding to take the turtle home and provide the needed care.
“The kids needed to get home and I made the decision the turtle was coming with us. Where we found the animal was an off-leash dog beach and it was clearly in need of help,” – Scott Hedges
Once back home, Hedges rigged up a huge tub with towels to make the turtle as at ease as possible. When he examined the turtle, he found a small gunshot wound under her flipper. Its eyes were crusted with gunk, but its face was gaunt with obvious signs of acute suffering and fatigue.
Care and Treatment
After administering first aid to Claude, as Hedges chose to name the turtle, he reached out to local wildlife officials for help.
“When I got home, I set up a large container with some towels to make the animal comfortable. I then called DEW again and spoke to a woman who said she would call PIRSA on my behalf,” – Scott Hedges
Hedges and the staff of DEW encountered a lot of difficulty trying to reach the higher up authorities. This prompted them to look for alternatives for Claude to live. They eventually decided that sending the turtle to Adelaide Zoo was its only hope of recovery.
“We discussed any other options and we agreed the animal’s last hope was the zoo, or otherwise I would carry the turtle back to where I found it and leave it there for nature to play its course.” – Scott Hedges
Feeling somewhat reassured and grateful that help was coming, Hedges and his kids drove Claude to the city zoo.
“The kids and I were so happy that someone was going to help the animal, so we loaded the car and drove to the zoo. The staff were fantastic and we saw them immediately start to care for the turtle,” – Scott Hedges
Community Awareness and Advocacy
Hedges’ experience with Claude shows how meaningful one to one kindness can be. It serves as a reminder of our shared obligation to safeguard ocean ecosystems. He hopes to exhibit his photographic work at Good Bank Gallery in McLaren Vale. This exhibition, which is part of Toxic Surf, opening this Friday, July 1, will focus on the effects of the algal bloom.
“This toxic algal bloom has devastated me and it has impacted so many people I know,” – Scott Hedges
Through his photography, he hopes to educate the public on environmental concerns and push community members to take action.
“Now more than ever, anyone not knowing or considering what they can do to help can just make decisions in their everyday lives to help the environment,” – Scott Hedges
Hedges believes that local community groups play a crucial role in promoting positive change and urges others to support such initiatives.
“Support or be a part of local community groups that are making steps towards positive change, or share the message that our environment needs help.” – Scott Hedges
Hedges has been getting updates from the dedicated staff members at Adelaide Zoo. They say Claude is reacting well to treatment and improving by the day.
“According to Scott Hedges, Claude was responding to treatment and making incremental progress.”
