A Turtle Rescue In Maui | April 23, 2025

Summary

In today's CNN 10 episode, Koi Wire covers a variety of topics, including the mourning and planning at the Vatican after the death of Pope Francis and the historical process of electing a new pope. The episode also highlights conservation efforts for sea turtles, with a focus on the rescue work done by the Maui Ocean Center Marine Institute. Additionally, the show features a heartwarming story about the restoration of a beloved strawberry landmark in Strawberry Point, Iowa. The episode concludes with a vocab challenge and shout-outs to various schools.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Vatican is in mourning after the death of Pope Francis, with preparations underway for his funeral on Saturday, April 26th.
• 😀 The Vatican is currently in a period called the 'papal interregnum', during which a new pope will be elected by the College of Cardinals.
• 😀 The election of a new pope takes place behind closed doors in the Sistine Chapel through a process known as the conclave, where cardinals vote in secrecy.
• 😀 The conclave can take up to 20 days and requires a 2/3 majority vote to elect a new pope. If a pope is not elected, the cardinals reconvene after prayer and discussion.
• 😀 If no pope is elected, black smoke is released from the Sistine Chapel to signal the lack of a decision. White smoke signals the election of a new pope.
• 😀 Sea turtles, particularly the green sea turtle, face numerous threats, including entanglement in fishing gear, which causes significant harm to their populations.
• 😀 The Maui Ocean Center Marine Institute has rescued over 1,400 sea turtles, with more than 85% of injuries caused by discarded fishing gear.
• 😀 Some injured sea turtles are treated onsite, while others require surgeries, including amputations due to severe injuries.
• 😀 A green sea turtle named Kirby, who had suffered a broken bone and severe entanglement, was successfully rehabilitated and released back into the wild.
• 😀 Strawberry Point, Iowa preserved its iconic 15-foot strawberry landmark after a month-long restoration process, ensuring its place in the heart of the downtown area.

Q & A

What is the papel interregnum and why is it significant?

The papel interregnum is the period between the death of a pope and the election of a new one. It is significant because it marks a time of mourning, as well as the start of the complex and historical process of selecting a new pope.

How are cardinals involved in the election of a new pope?

Cardinals, who are senior officials within the Catholic Church, are responsible for electing the new pope. Only cardinals under 80 years old can vote, and the election, known as a conclave, occurs behind closed doors in the Sistine Chapel.

What is the role of the Sistine Chapel during the papal election?

The Sistine Chapel is where the conclave takes place. It is where cardinals gather to vote in secret for the new pope, following strict rules to maintain confidentiality. No communication with outsiders is allowed once the voting begins.

What are the rules regarding the voting process in the conclave?

Cardinals vote by writing a candidate's name on a ballot, which is dropped into a chalice in order of seniority. To elect a pope, a candidate needs 2/3 of the votes. If no candidate is elected, the process continues with multiple rounds of voting.

How do the public know when a new pope has been elected?

The ballots are burned after each round of voting. If no pope is elected, black smoke is released. When a new pope is elected, white smoke signals the decision, informing the public gathered in St. Peter's Square.

What is the significance of the flatback sea turtle?

The flatback sea turtle is the only species of sea turtle not considered threatened or endangered. It is endemic to the Australian continental shelf, and unlike other sea turtles, there is insufficient data to assess its conservation status.

How do sea turtles typically get injured in the wild?

Most sea turtles face threats from careless fishermen. They often get entangled in fishing gear, which can cause severe injuries. More than 85% of the sea turtles rescued by the Maui Ocean Center Marine Institute have injuries caused by discarded fishing supplies.

What does the Maui Ocean Center Marine Institute do for injured sea turtles?

The Maui Ocean Center Marine Institute rescues and rehabilitates injured sea turtles. They treat turtles suffering from fishing gear entanglements and other injuries, and help them recover before releasing them back into the wild.

How do the rehab staff ensure the sea turtles are ready for release?

Before releasing a sea turtle, the rehab team at the Maui Ocean Center conducts a final health check, ensuring the turtle is physically ready for the wild. They perform swim tests and ensure the turtle can forage and engage in normal activities.

What is the community's role in sea turtle conservation?

The Maui Ocean Center Marine Institute emphasizes involving the community in conservation efforts. By empowering locals and involving them in rescue and rehabilitation activities, the institute amplifies its impact and encourages hands-on participation in preserving marine life.