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Nesting season is ON!
Our Save-A-Turtle permitted nest surveyors are out every morning now looking for and marking nests. We are super excited to see what this nesting season will bring! This particular nest is partially shaded which we are hoping helps generate more male hatchlings. The phrase "hot chicks and cool dudes" is sometimes used to describe how warmer nest temperatures generate more female hatchlings while a cooler nest generates males. Because of our warming climate we have been seeing far more female hatchlings in recent seasons. Fingers crossed this shady spot adds a few more males into the mix. You can read more about how temperature determines gender for sea turtles and some other reptiles HERE.
Coastlove "Protect Your Paradise" sign at a local Keys park
Female green sea turtle DECEASED due to fishing line in her intestines. WE CAN DO BETTER! (photo credit to The Turtle Hospital in Marathon, FL)
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!
Ella the Green Sea Turtle was rescued and in care with one of our volunteers in 2020 for 6 months! She was spotted on a scuba dive site and we knew she needed rescuing because of the photo we saw! How lucky we did because, had she not been, she would have eventually beached after internally starting to shut down and it would have been really hard to rehab her!
After 4 days in care she excreted a balloon that said "Happy Birthday" but it took her 2 more days to get it out as the string attached was 2.5 meters long and she was only 43cm curved carapace! She was so lucky it didn't perforate her bowels! Then, 3 days later, she excreted part of a plastic bag! She had pneumonia and septicemia but started to eat and was on antibiotics and after 6 months in care, was released back where she was rescued!
This is so inappropriate in today's environment! We need to stop the use of balloons in all aspects! They all end up in the ocean or a landfill.
Donations for youth program scholarships and sea turtle conservation!
Save-A-Turtle is still working on donations for summer youth scholarships and we are always thrilled to receive donations toward our conservation efforts. If you can give (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.
This bears constant repeating...
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!
