NESTING SEA TURTLE IN NMB, NEST NUMBER 18

A call coming into the NMB STP Hotline around 11 p.m., about a nesting Sea Turtle in NMB.  They are all asked to keep all lights off, stay behind, keep quiet and leave her alone.  NMB STP Volunteers, Chuck, Sally, Don, Kim and Chris are on the way.  Chuck is first to arrive, he found a very nice, small group of people, with no lights on, away from the nesting turtle just as asked, standing a safe distance away from this nesting Sea Turtle. Chuck talked to this very respectful group, as they have many questions about the nesting Sea Turtle and what is done to protect this Endangered Sea Turtle nest if eggs are laid. Many thanks to this very nice group on the beach, calling the hotline and following all the protocols, and doing everything right.

The NMB STP Volunteers all wait quietly, no lights, a little visibility from the light of the moon, while she lays her eggs, buries them and uses her body weight to tamp down the egg cavity. Once this is all done, she then throws sand with her flippers to disguise the nest, in order to help protect the nest as she will not return to the nest. 

Once this mother is on her way back to the ocean, measurements are taken, and a pit scan is done on her to see if any tags are found. None were found.

 

AFTER A SUCCESFUL NIGHT OF NESTING, THIS ENDANGERED LOGGERHEAD SEA TURTLE IS ON HER WAY BACK INTO THE OCEAN.  GOOD LUCK OUT THERE AS YOU TRAVEL THE SEAS. 

  

 ONLY USING A FLASHLIGHT AFTER THE NESTING SEA TURTLE HAS GONE BACK INTO THE OCEAN, PROBING IS DONE AND EGGS CAREFULLY DUG UP TO BE RELOCATED TO A SAFER PART OF THE BEACH.

104 EGGS, ONE EGG USED FOR DNA TESTING

NMB PROTECTED NEST # 18

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, eggs and stranded Sea Turtles.

If you see a nesting Sea Turtle or Stranding in NMB or Briarcliffe please call the 

NMB STP Hotline

843-213-9074

Any time day or night