Description
Bernie Wants to Go Home!
BizJetJobs is proud to partner with Turtles Fly Too, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization whose
mission is to coordinate and facilitate the use of general aviation to transport endangered
species, critical response teams, and to educate the community on conservation of marine life.
NOAA and other organizations call on Turtles Fly Too to provide air transportation when
endangered species are threatened, either through a cold stun event, entanglement, or when
an endangered animal is injured. These transports are made possible by the donation of time,
equipment, and fuel from our “Turtle Fliers,” the dedicated, generous pilots associated with
Turtles Fly Too. Using flights instead of ground transport shortens travel time and therefore
reduces stress on these turtles and other endangered species.
Turtles Fly Too offers:
Tax incentives for assisting flight departments
Potential waived landing fees and fuel savings at FBO’s for pilots and owners
Deadhead flights count
The opportunity to do something concrete to save the environment and protect
endangered species
BizJet is now offering notification services to pilots and aircraft owners who want to contribute
their time and resources to assist Turtles Fly Too in their aviation transport missions.
From turtles to seals, to first responder disentanglement teams…Turtles Fly Too
provides aviation transport services in times of need
Makes the process easy from pick-up to final drop-off and delivery
Choose just a segment on lengthy flights (different pilots/aircraft) when available
Flight itinerary, permitting, special instructions, and coordination of schedules provided
based on your availability and transport needs
Ground support provided by Turtles Fly Too’s experienced team throughout entire
mission
Promotes conservation by providing an empty seat on your planned route for a cause
The special feeling you get when you recognize your contribution has made a difference
Mission Summary:
This flight is being requested by [redacted], a 501(c)3 non-profit organization to
transport an endangered species to be released back to the wild in Southern California. TF2 will
provide you with a letter of acknowledgement for your in-kind contribution of air transportation
and time. For most of our transports we can offer reduced fuel cost and/or reduced or waived
landing fees provided by our host airports.
You will be transporting Berni, an Olive Ridley sea turtle usually found only in warmer waters.
He was rescued by members of the public at Port Alberni (Vancouver Island) on September
30th, 2019 and appeared to be \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\"cold-stunned\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\", a condition that occurs in sea turtles when the
water temperature falls below 10 degrees Celsius. Cold-stunned sea turtles experience a
decrease in heart rate and circulation causing them to become lethargic to the point where they
are unable to swim or forage. Berni is only the fourth Olive Ridley sea turtle recorded in B.C.
waters and only the second of that species to be treated at the rescue centre. Berni has been in
rehabilitation since October 1, 2019 at Ocean Wise in Vancouver, BC, and waiting to cross the
Canadian borders to return to southern California since May. The normal range for this species
is usually found to be in the tropical regions of the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian Oceans and it is
unusual for an Olive Ridley to be found this far north.
Berni has all required documentation to be transported from Canada to the USA by “Turtle
Fliers” for Turtles Fly Too as authorized by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service
(USFWS).
MISSION ALERT
Urgent Volunteer Transport Flight Request
Mission:
Operation Berni
From:
Your Choice of 2 Pick-up Options
CYVR - Vancouver International Airport
KBFI - Boeing Field
To:
KSAN - San Diego International
When:
TBD
Name: Berni
Species: Olive Green Sea Turtle
Length: 36 inches
Sex: Male
Crate: XL Dog Kennel
40” Long x 27” Wide x 18” Tall
90 Pounds (turtle + crate)
No water involved
Temps: Cabin must be maintained
Between 68-73°F
Page 2 of 2Turtles Fly Too – Mission Alert
How You Can Get Involved:
Whether you can help with this mission or potentially a future mission we would love to hear
from you! We are always in need of “Turtle Fliers” and we can assure you that your experience
helping these endangered species will be rewarding. To join our team of pilots, please complete
our sign-up form at [redacted].
Be sure to enter “Mission Berni” in the comments section if you are able to potentially help us
with this mission!
