The results are in for the endangered Loggerhead Sea Turtle nest #1

This is how this protected endangered Loggerhead Sea Turtle nest began!!!

The Hotline was notified about a Sea Turtle on the Beach. The NMB STP Volunteers were there Shortley to protect and make sure no one will bother her.  She spent a long time in the darkness of the evening, no one approaching her or bothering her.  All Sea Turtles are endangered; they are federally and state protected.

Once she nested, the body pit was roped off to protect the nest.  Early in the morning the NMB STP Volunteers were there to safely relocate and protect this nest.

Every day the dedicated NMB STP Volunteers are checking this nest to make sure everything is ok while the precious eggs are incubating. 

This nest incubated for 61 days when the major emergence occurred. (this is when the majority of the hatchlings made it out of the nest, making their way to the ocean).

 This will be a long journey for those little Hatchlings. They estimate that the Baby Hatchlings will swim nonstop to the gulf stream, to reach the Sargassum bed of seaweed.    Here they will spend the beginning of their juvenile years on this floating bed of seaweed.

Now for the day the hard work of all of the NMB STP Volunteers are waiting for, the results of this protected nest #1

It has been 3 full days after the emergence, (these three days will give and hatchlings time to get out on their own and protocol.

Because all Sea Turtles are endangered, special guidelines, training and permits are required to do this. The results will be entered in a national database to help in the future conservation efforts to help save the Sea Turtle Species

 Many excited and anxious NMB STP Volunteers and Beachgoers have come to see the inventory.

There are 8 Live hatchlings in this nest.  They will be carefully brought around for all to be able to see, also everyone will get to look at one of the unviable eggs.

The hatched egg along with some of the eggs that did not make it, this is a natural occurrence in the nest. The results will be shared in a national data base to help in the future conservation efforts to help save the endangered Sea Turtle species.

A nice and respectful group of beachgoers and NMB STP Volunteers are able to watch the first crawl of the Endangered Sea Turtle Hatchlings as they enter the Ocean to begin their Journey.

Now is the time we have all been waiting for: 

The inventory results

This nest had 133 eggs,132 eggs relocated

91% Hatch success rate;

120 hatched Shells

              12 whole or enveloped egg

                                 8 live hatchlings released on the beach

All Sea Turtles are endangered; they are federally and state protected.  Special training, guidelines and permits are required to work with Sea Turtle 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 immediately.

NMB STP HOTLINE

843-213-9074

ANYTIME DAY OR NIGHT