Protected Loggerhead nest

A call coming into the hotline, of a Sea Turtle Coming to shore.  The NMB STP Volunteers are soon there to ensure all is quiet, no lights and all a respectful distance away.  Once the Sea Turtle has nested and headed back into the water, measurements were taken, and the overall body condition to ensure no fishing line or other entanglements are present.  Sea Turtles will come to shore only to nest or in need of help.  This would likely be the only or one of a few opportunities to remove any entanglement materials.  All was great, once she reached the water picked up her head, took a deep breath and atlas was back in her safe environment.  She has done her part in helping the survival of the Endangered Sea Turtle Species. 

 Big, beautiful tracks (crawl). Many beach walkers have stopped to see and learn more about the endangered Sea Turtle.  The NMB STP Volunteers are excited to share information about the endangered Sea Turtle species, a highlight of many who will now know ways they can help in their everyday lives to help in Sea Turtle Conservation.

Great job to all of the NMB STP out walking everyday rain or shine (unless lightening or unsafe conditions.)

The family that did everything right. they had seen this Sea Turtle come to shore, made the call to the NMB STP Hotline, and stayed until the permitted Volunteers arrived. So, they could make sure she could nest in peace with no lights, or anyone disturbing her. All came out the next morning to learn more about the Sea Turtle they helped nest in peace. Thank you for making the difference.

 

Because this was in an unsafe area, many lights and heavy traffic this nest is carefully relocated to an undisclosed area.

126 eggs relocated and protected

All Sea Turtles are endangered; they are federally and state protected.  Special guidelines, training and permits are required to work with Nesting Sea Turtles, Nest, Hatchlings and stranded Sea Turtles.

If you encounter a Nesting Sea Turtle, Hatchling or stranded Sea Turtle in NMB or Briarcliffe areas please call:

NMB STP HOTLINE

843-213-9074

ANYTIME DAY OR NIGHT

In Situ protected loggerhead nest

 What a great spot this endangered Loggerhead Sea Turtle laid her Nest.  The perfect spot, in a nice quiet place close to the Dunes

NMB STP Volunteers are excitedly waiting to see if the egg chamber is found. It's very promising.  Many people walking on the beach and the NMB STP Volunteers are excitedly sharing their passion and knowledge amongst themselves and all that have come to see what is going on.  Many will go home with a new appreciation of the endangered Sea Turtle Species.  Getting out the word on how to help the Endangered Sea Turtle Species one person at a time.  This may even start a lifelong passion in their futures; the stars are the limits.

The egg chamber is found, this was laid in the perfect spot, up close to the dunes with no bright lights.

one egg is used for DNA Research. This will be entered into a national database and used by many in learning more about the Endangered Sea Turtle species.  Conservationist will use this data also to help in the many unknown to help the Sea Turtle survive into future generations.

Only the outer shell of one egg from every nest will be used for DNA Studies.  This will identify this particular Mother.  Her offspring can also be detected by the DNA studies, along with how often and how many clutches she will lay in a nesting season.

Great job to all of the NMB STP Volunteers out walking every day.  They are the reason we are able to 

protect the Endangered Sea Turtle nest.

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 encounter a nesting Sea Turtle, Hatchling or stranded Sea Turtle in NMB or Briarcliffe areas please call

NMB STP HOTLINE

843-213-9074

ANYTIME DAY OR NIGHT

Endangered Loggerhead protected Sea Turtle Nest

 A beautiful long Crawl up to the dunes, a possible body pit, and a beautiful long crawl back to the Ocean.

Studying the body pit and looking at signs to find the best location to locate the body pit, while other NMB STP are looking at this beautiful crawl, determining the incoming and outgoing crawl.

Waiting anxiously and with excitement to see if an egg chamber is found.

The egg chamber is located.  Although this nest was close to the dunes, it is right in front of a walkover. So, this nest will be relocated to a safer part of the beach.  Because the nest is relocated eggs were counted. An incredible 151 eggs were found in this nest

One egg is used for DNA Testing.  This information will be entered in a national database. The information gathered from this egg will be used by many in learning more about this elusive Sea Turtle species and conservation efforts to help in the survival of the Sea Turtle species

A cage with poles and ropes are put up to protect this nest to help keep it safe from all that share the beach with us. A sign indicating this is a protected endangered Sea Turtle Nest is put up.

Great job to all that are out walking every morning looking for signs of a Sea Turtle, so the nest can be protected.  They are all making the difference in helping the endangered Sea Turtle Species survive.

All Sea Turtles are endangered, special guidelines, training and permits are required to work with Nesting Sea Turtles, Hatchlings and stranded Sea Turtles.

If you encounter a nesting Sea Turtle, Hatchling or Stranded Sea Turtle in NMB or Briarcliffe areas please call 

NMB STP HOTLINE

843-213-9074

ANYTIME DAY OR NIGHT

1st LOGGERHEAD ENDANGERED SEA TURTLE NEST PROTECTED

 A call coming into the NMB STP Hotline about a Sea Turtle Coming to shore.  The caller is great asking all people to back away from this endangered loggerhead Sea Turtle and no lights.  NMB STP Volunteers are soon there to ensure all is quiet and dark. She was able to nest in peace and quiet.

Once Sea Turtles enter the Ocean as Baby Hatchlings, they spend their entire life in the Ocean.  The only time a Sea Turtle will come to shore is to nest or stranded and in need of help.

When a Sea Turtle comes to shore to nest, they are leaving the environment they are meant to be in.  Dragging their heavy body up on shore up as far as the dunes or where they feel is a good place to lay her eggs.  She then will dig a hole much in a shape of a lightbulb only about 6 inches in diameter at the top, then wider at the bottom.  This is done with just her back flippers, a task in itself. She then will begin laying her eggs, this again will take quite a while and allot of energy.  After this she will cover her eggs, again another feat in itself.  she will do her best to hide her precious egg chamber by throwing sand with just her flippers. And now it's time for her to head back to the Ocean, dragging her large body with her flippers.  She's exhausted, out of her environment, but doing what it takes to ensure she is doing her part to help her species survive. This same mother will usually lay multiple nests in the season she is nesting.  So please, if you encounter a Nesting Sea Turtle Stay away, never be in front of her and never shine a light on her, this can spook her and she may leave the beach returning to the Ocean without nesting.

All is quiet and Dark, on her way back to the Ocean the Permitted Sea Turtle volunteers will Measure this Sea Turtle, do a pit tag scan on her and check her overall health and look for any potential entanglement's she may have.  

The body pit is roped off to protect this nest from anyone walking through it and also, to make sure it is not run over until the morning.

The tracks (Crawl) of this beautiful Endangered Loggerhead Sea Turtle

The body Pit (Nest)

The V in the crawl will tell the Volunteers what way she was coming or going.

An exciting moment, as the Eggs are found, it is a Nest. (This is done only by trained and permitted STP Volunteers)

133 eggs are relocated

This nest was located in a busy part of the beach with many bright lights from Highrise's. The lights would disorient the Hatchlings once ready to head to the Ocean.  For these reasons the Eggs will be relocated to a safer part of the beach.

All are excited to know that their hard dedication and commitment have resulted in being able to help in the survival of the endangered Sea Turtle Species.  The NMB STP Volunteer walk one or more mornings all summer long From May 1st until the middle of August.  They walk rain or shine (unless lightning or dangerous to be on the beach.)  While they get many beautiful mornings, they also end up cold and drenched.  Because of all of the NMP STP Volunteers out walking every morning these nests are able to be found and protected.  So many thanks to all of the NMB STP Volunteers out walking every morning.

One egg out of every nest will be used for DNA research.  As Sea turtles live their entire life in the Ocean this information will be invaluable.  The DNA in this eggshell the specific Mothers.  They can track how often the Sea Turtle Nest, how many times she nested in a particular season. how many years in-between nesting. These are just a few, as this data will be entered into a national data based and used for research and conservation purposes to help in the survival of the Endangered Sea Turtle Species.

Poles, rope and a sign indicating this is a protected endangered Sea Turtle nest.

Great job NMB STP Volunteers

All Sea Turtles are endangered; they are federally and state protected.  Special Training, guidelines and permits are required to work with Nest Sea Turtles, Nest, Hatchling and stranded Sea Turtles.

If you encounter a Nesting Sea Turtle, Hatchling or stranded Sea Turtle in NMB or Briarcliffe areas please call immediately.

NMBSTP HOTLINE

843-213-9074

ANY TIME DAY OR NIGHT

Kemps Ridley Stranding

 Meet Teriyaki

This little Kemps was called into the Hotline by NMB STP Volunteer Tammy. The little kemps Ridley was brought up on shore a little away from the waterline so she/he would not wash back out to Sea.   

Once Sea Turtles Hatch, make their trek on the sand and enter the great big blue, their journey will start. They do not come back to shore unless they are Nesting or in need of help.

This kemp has one flipper missing but had healed.  Once at the Sea Turtle Reaches the SC Sea Turtle hospital in Charleston, they will be able to determine the best care for this Kemps.

 Everything was done right with this little Kemp's. A call was made. Trained and permitted NMB STP Volunteers arrive, with contact with SCDNR this little Kemps is quickly on the Way to get the much needed and urgent help it needs.

The SC Sea Turtle hospital is ready; the minute the Sea Turtle arrives its care and treatment begins. We hope the best for Teriyaki. 

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 encounter a nesting Sea Turtle, Hatchling or Stranded Sea Turtle in NMB or Briarcliffe areas please call the NMB STP Hotline immediately.

NMB STP HOTLINE

843-213-9074

anytime day or night

live Endangered Kemps Ridley Sea Turtle

 Meet Aioli

Kemps Ridley Sea Turtles are the smallest and most endangered of all the Sea Turtles

Aioli Was hooked by accident on Cherry Grove Pier.  While the fisherman was bringing this small juvenile Kemp's Ridley up with the Turtle safe net, the line was broken. It is recommend having at least 2 feet of line left so the Sea Turtle Hospital has something to work with, when possible.

 The fisherman brought Aioli to the bait house where the Cherry Grove Team is well versed and fast to react, securing the Kemps out of the hot sun and in a quiet place until the NMB STP Volunteer arrived. 

Many thanks to the fisherman in making the call and the Cherry Grove pier for all of the help they give us.  All Sea Turtles are endangered; the stress levels can affect the Turtles health drastically.  The great help and quick action by Cherry Grove pier help to ensure the least amount of added stress to the Turtles.

 Pictures and all information are shared with SC DNR.  The hook was still in the mouth, so transport by trained and permitted Sea Turtle Patrol Volunteers are underway.  Little Aioli will be closely monitored while being transported. 

Once at the Sea Turtle hospital the medical team was able to remove the hook safely.  Prognoses on this little Kemps is very good. 

As we hear updates of Aioli we will keep everyone posted. 

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

Here comes Relish the 3rd live stranding in NMB

 Meet Relish, the Juvenile Green Sea Turtle

Relish was called into the NMB STP Hotline on May 20th.  He/she was floating out in the Ocean about 10 feet from shore. Concerned Sam saw this and called the NMB STP and with guidance was able to bring onto the shore.  soon the NMB STP permitted Stranding Team arrive. 

Time is of the essence for this little one. She/ He was carefully transported with approval from SCDNR to the Sea Turtle Care Center in Charleston SC.  Special guidelines and temperature maintenance is carefully monitored during transport. 

All Sea Turtles are endangered, special guidelines, training and permits are required to work with Nesting Sea Turtles, Nest, Hatchlings and stranded Sea Turtles

If you encounter a Nesting or stranded Sea Turtle in NMB or Briarcliffe areas, please call immediately.

NMB STP Hotline

8433-213-9074

Any time Day or night