NMB False crawl # 2,3,4 and 5

 The day starts out promising as reports from the NMB STP Volunteers and NMB Rakers are coming in.  

Sometimes false crawls will happen naturally.  There is still so much unknown about the Sea Turtle species.  Some thoughts are that they are checking out the sand for a future nest, maybe the sand isn't just right. 

But there are some Known reasons a Nesting Sea Turtle has come to shore and not nested. Sometimes People may have encountered a nesting, Sea Turtle. If lights are shone on her, people surrounding her, and noise may scare her back into the Ocean. They also may have encountered an animal such as a Dog or Fox are just some.

If you Encounter a Sea Turtle coming to shore to nest, turn all lights off, stay quiet and behind her at a safe distance away, call a turtle protection team in the area you are in, let them know and they will go and help keep her safe.  Always remember that all Sea Turtles are endangered and Federally and State protected.  It is Illegal to shine lights on or interfere with Sea Turtles in any way.  There are heavy fines and possible jail time as they are an endangered protected species.

  

This Sea Turtle had crawled up a long way on the beach before turning around and back to the Ocean without nesting. 

The NMB Rakers and Sanitation are always so helpful to the NMB STP Volunteers.  When they see a crawl or nest, they will also call the NMB STP Hotline or stop to let the NMB STP Volunteers know

                                     

This crawl also, shows a crawl as continuous, turning around returning back into the Ocean.  Much communication between all of the NMB STP Volunteers as all Sea turtles are a protected species.  All activity is documented and shared in a national data base.

This false crawl telling a little bit about this crawl.  There is a little difference in the incoming crawl and outgoing crawl, this indicating she spent a little bit of time on the sand before returning back to the ocean not nesting.  Was something or someone on the beach?  we can only speculate.

This crawl, also very short coming to shore and turning around back to the ocean.  while we cannot say for certain, but a couple of the crawls have some similar drag marks in the sand, that may indicate this nesting Sea Turtle may have been the same Turtle.

All Sea Turtles are endangered, they are federally, and state protected.  Special training, guidelines and Permits are required to work with Nesting Sea Turtles, Hatchlings, Nest 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 DY OR NIGHT