51 Loggerhead Hatchlings Released On Turtle Beach

SARASOTA, FL — Fifty-one loggerhead hatchlings are back in their natural environment after the folks at Mote Marine Laboratory swooped in over the weekend to make a save.

The rescue began when Mote’s sea turtle hatchling hospital received notification about a loggerhead turtle nest that had been found disturbed by wildlife on Manasota Beach. Concerned for the safety of the little creatures, permitted volunteers from the Coastal Wildlife Club went out and gathered the hatchlings to bring them to Mote for care.

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Within 24 hours, the animal care team at Mote determined all 51 hatchlings were healthy enough to be returned to the wild. The critters were released off Turtle Beach Sunday night, Mote reported Thursday. All 51 hatchlings made their way to the surf.

Mote’s sea turtle hatchling hospital plays host to as many as 2,600 hatchlings a year. Hospital staff assess all hatchlings brought in and provide any necessary care to help ensure they are healthy enough for release. Hatchlings are brought to the hospital most commonly after being disoriented by artificial lights on beaches, when their nests are dug up by predators or when other problems with the creatures are detected.

The 2017 nesting season is well under way and is already considered above average, Mote reported on June 22. The organization estimates that only one out of every 1,000 hatchlings will make it to maturity, which is why rescue efforts are so important.

This season marks the 36th year of Mote’s Sea Turtle Conservation and Rescue Program. The effort provides patrolling and monitoring for beaches from Longboat Key to Venice. The Sea Turtle Patrol is made up of scientists, interns and more than 300 volunteers. As of June 22, Mote reported its team had documented more than 2,000 nests from loggerheads on the beaches it patrols.

Sea turtle nesting season runs from May 1 to Oct. 31 along Florida’s southwest coast. As the season continues, beachgoers are asked to follow these tips to help keep sea turtles, their nests and hatchlings safe:

• Be mindful of lights on the beach at night, especially from waterfront properties. These can disorient females and their young, who come out at night.
• Keep beach equipment, toys and other items off the beach at night to avoid sea turtle entanglement.
• Items such as beach chairs, umbrellas and cabanas should be removed from the beach between sunset and sunrise during the entire season. It’s best to wait until sunrise, at least, to set these items up, as well.
• People who encounter nesting turtles and hatchlings are asked to remain quiet and observe from a distance.
• Beachgoers are asked to knock down sand castles before they leave and to fill in holes on the beach that may entrap hatchlings on their way to the water.
• Boaters should follow Coast Guard guidelines for avoiding sea turtles and other wildlife.
• Boaters are also asked to stow trash and other debris to ensure it doesn’t blow overboard.
• Boaters are also asked to wear polarized sunglasses so they can spot marine life in their paths a bit easier.

Mote researchers also ask beachgoers to avoid the following:

• Approaching nesting turtles or hatchlings too closely
• Flashing lights at turtles
• Using flashlights or fishing lamps on the beach
• Using fireworks on the beach

Anyone who happens to encounter a sick, stranded or injured sea turtle in Manatee or Sarasota County waters is asked to call Mote Marine Laboratory’s Stranding Investigations Program at 941-988-0212. Sightings outside of those two counties should be reported to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission at 888-404-FWCC (3922).

Anyone who sees people tampering with sea turtles nests or harassing sea turtles is asked to call FWC, local law enforcement or Mote’s Sea Turtle Conservation and Research Program at 941-388-4331.

Sea turtles are protected under federal law. It is illegal to harass or interfere with them in any way or to disturb a nest.

Photo by Conor Goulding/ Mote Marine Lab