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Here come the hatchlings!
Our Save-A-Turtle permitted nest surveyors are still out every morning looking for and marking nests, but we are also starting to see those tiny hatchlings emerging! These two pictured were found trapped in a nest in Marathon. One was released that night and the other was taken to The Turtle Hospital in Marathon, Florida for rehabilitation due to an underdeveloped flipper. Once that little one perfects its swimming technique it will likely be released to swim free. We still have months left in the season and hope to be able to share many more pictures and stories of these tiny ones with you in upcoming newsletters!
You can read more about how temperature determines gender for sea turtles and some other reptiles HERE.
There's always time to Protect Your Paradise!
Trash (mainly plastic) cluttering a local Keys beach where many turtle nests are hatching soon.
WE CAN DO BETTER!
Coastlove "Protect Your Paradise" signs and bucket for bottlecap recycling at local Keys parks
Save-A-Turtle frequently works with other organizations on education and clean-up events. Coastlove is one of those organizations and they have launched a "Protect your Paradise" campaign. You may see their signs around some of our local parks in the Keys. The impact that humans make on the planet, and all of the other life on it, is something that all of us can work on making more positive. There are so many ways that we can protect our paradise. Please, if you have an opportunity to pass on single use plastic, clean up litter, or help wildlife, DO IT.
It may not be "your trash" but it is definitely your planet and we have to do better for the humans and the animals that live on this amazing world!
THANK YOU FOR YOUR DONATIONS!
THANK YOU! Because of your generous donations, Save-A-Turtle was able to provide scholarship funding to three organizations for their summer programs! The funding went to Seacamp, MarineLab and Mote Marine.
If you would like to help our volunteer based organization with our conservation efforts (any amount helps!), please follow the link below to make your donation!
Residents and visitors can help to make our area as turtle friendly as possible by remembering to keep beaches clean, dark and flat. If you live near the beach please make sure you are using proper lighting (https://www.save-a-turtle.org/turtlelighting.html). It is also important to remove beach chairs and other obstacles each night, as well as to knock down sandcastles and fill in any holes that may block or trap sea turtles. Please remember sea turtles are a protected species and may not be disturbed or harassed.
PLEASE Slow Down and Look Out!
Large loggerhead female deceased after boat strike. Red arrow indicates start of propeller strike.
It's an all too common occurrence when boats and marine animals meet on the water... boat strikes! Sadly, we receive calls on these occurrences FAR TOO OFTEN.
One way that you can help protect marine life when you’re out enjoying the waterways is to have a designated marine animal spotter on board whenever possible. Somebody that is looking out constantly for the dolphins, manatees and sea turtles that may be found in our waterways.
Additionally, please make sure you’re following slow speed and no wake signs.
If you happen to encounter an injured marine animal while you’re enjoying your boating time or out on the beach in Florida, please call the FWC Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922).
Outreach poster developed by NOAA Fisheries and the Hawai'i Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation
If you like learning new things about sea turtles you should like, follow and share our social media platforms! We are on Facebook and Instagram! Follow along all year to learn some cool facts about turtles but also what you can do for the environment that we all share!
