NMB PROTECTED SEA TURTLE NEST 16

 It's a very exciting morning for NMB STP Volunteers Chris P and Phil,  they  found a crawl leading up to the dunes, a very promising body pit and a crawl leading back to the ocean, both are soon met up with  fellow segment walkers.  Soon more NMB STP Volunteers are there to help.  

 

THE CRAWLS WIDTH IS VERY WIDE, SO A PRETTY BIG SEA TURTLE.

THIS SEA TURTLE WENT UP INTO THE DUNES TO LAY HER NEST.  TYPICALLY THIS WOULD BE A GOOD SPOT FOR HER TO LAY HER EGGS, BUT THE AREA IS IN FRONT OF A LARGE CONDO WITH OTHER HIGH RISES VERY CLOSE....BRIGHT LIGHTS AND A CROWDED BEACH COULD POSE PROBLEMS FOR THE HATCHLINGS.... THE EGGS ARE RELOCATED TO A QUIETER, SAFER PART OF THE BEACH.

BY LOOKING AT THE SIGNS THE SEA TURTLE HAS LEFT WE CAN DETERMINE THE SPOT SHE MAY HAVE LAID HER EGGS.

CHUCK  PROBED AND EASILY FOUND THE EGG CAVITY

LINDA HAS VERY CAREFULLY DUG INTO THE SAND AND WE HAVE EGGS.

123 EGGS. ONE IS USED FOR DNA STUDIES

CHRIS P. AND APRIL HELP  PROCESS THE DNA EGG

ONLY EGG SHELL IS USED FOR DNA STUDIES, AS THIS CONTAINS THE MOTHERS DNA ONLY.

THE CAGE IS PUT UP AROUND THE NEST TO PROTECT THE EGGS FROM FOX OR ANYTHING ELSE SHARING OUR BEACHES WITH THEM.

NMB NEST # 16

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 strandings.

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

NMB SPT Hotline

843-213-9074

Day or Night