Turtle Tracks : April 2021

Turtle Tracks Newsletter

9-1-1 Turtle Rescue Update

The crisis with the cold stunned sea turtles in Texas continues to unfold. Most recent information provided indicates that so far during the winter of 2020-2021, about 13,082 cold stunned sea turtles have been recorded in Texas, including about 12,990 from the event beginning in mid-February, and another 92 found alive from a brief event on January 11-15.

The above figures are not complete, as cold stunned sea turtles have been found as recently as March 21 as well.

Comparing this most recent record setting event to past occurrences:

The total from this recent event more than TRIPLES the last record number event from the winter of 2017-2018.

This is the largest stranding event in Texas since the establishment of the SSTN (Stranding & Salvage Network) in 1980.

Regarding the current cold stunned sea turtle crisis in Texas, of those recorded, 4,259 were rescued alive, rehabilitated and released into the Gulf of Mexico.

There’s been a survival rate of 30% in this monumental record-setting cold stun event. The statistics will continue to be updated as this event continues to unfold, and the long-term effects on overall populations likely will not be known for years. Our hearts go out to every person who has been, and will continue to be, involved in helping these sea turtles in any way. The emotional toll and resultant grief will be something that is never forgotten by those involved. They all worked (and are still working) so hard for every life they could possibly save. Your donations during our Sea Turtle 9-1-1 match campaign have helped both groups. Please continue to support Sea Turtle Inc. and Turtles Fly Too with any direct donations at www.turtlesflytoo.org and www.seaturtleinc.org.

Flippers up to all of you who adopted or donated to make this possible!

Note:

Data included here is preliminary and shared with permission. As data presented here are preliminary, please do not cite or quote without permission. Contact Dr. Donna J. Shaver, Texas Coordinator of the Sea Turtle Stranding and Salvage Network, for further information.

Did you know?

In the Florida Keys, the most common nest we see is the Loggerhead's. These sea turtles are named for their large heads and brown carapaces. You guessed it- they sometimes look like big logs floating in the ocean! Rumor has it that years ago, sailors on the lookout on bows of ships would yell "there's a log ahead!" Only upon closer inspection, they realized it was a turtle! Loggerheads are now protected under the Endangered Species Act, and we look forward to finding their nests every season.

2021 Nesting season officially starts April 15! Here are ways that you can help Sea Turtles!

It's that time of year again when sea turtles will be arriving onshore to nest! If you live on a nesting beach, please make sure you have turtle friendly lighting so that sea turtles do not become disoriented. Keep your light fixtures low, use the lowest wattage possible, and point lights downward. Use amber, orange or red lighting, and avoid bright white lights in nesting areas.

After spending the day at the beach, please be sure to knock down your sand castles and fill in any holes- these things can be a hazard to our flippered friends! Also be sure to collect your trash. A nesting mother can get stuck in a large hole when she comes up onshore to nest, and tiny hatchlings can get stuck in holes, or tangled up in trash left on the beach.