This endangered Loggerhead Sea Turtle did her job well. Looking for the right spot to nest, she crawled through the opening of the sand fence. Then going up into the Dunes before turning a little to the left and heading down again, where she appeared to try to nest but abandoned that spot. She then meandered to the other side of the sand fence opening but still behind the sand fence. she appeared to have possibly nested in this area, maybe even turning facing the ocean before nesting.
The crawl was studied more intensely while trying to determine the route she had taken before laying her eggs.
This nest is too close to the walkway so it will be relocated just a little way north to a more protected area in the Dunes. We will take this opportunity to count the eggs while we carefully relocate them. The new egg chamber will replicate the original nest. It will resemble an inverted light bulb, just around 6-7 inches at the top of the sand leading to a rounder, wider area at the bottom of the nest. The new egg chamber will be at the same depth as the original egg chamber. This is all done very carefully and by guidelines and permits as all Sea Turtles are endangered and protected. 96 eggs were found in this nest, 95 were safely relocated.
One egg will be used for DNA studies that will help in the future conservation's efforts of the elusive endangered Sea Turtle species.
Great job to all of the NMB STP Volunteers out walking every day and all of the Volunteers helping.
All are making the difference to help save the endangered Sea Turtle species.
All Sea Turtles are endangered; they are federally and state protected. Special training, guidelines and permits are required to work with Nesting Sea Turtles, Nest, Hatchlings and stranded Sea Turtles.
If you are in the NMB or Briarcliffe areas and encounter a nesting Sea Turtle, Hatchling or stranded Sea Turtle please call
NMB STP HOTLINE
843-213-9074
ANYTIME DAY OR NIGHT
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