NMB PROTECTED ENDANGERED SEA TURTLE NEST #5

A little bit about this protected endangered Loggerhead Sea Turtle nest started.  Its just after midnight, and a call coming into the hotline about a Sea Turtle coming to shore to nest.  Because the Sea turtle had already cone back into the Ocean, the people at the condo had put up beach cones to protect the nest. The NMB STP Volunteers soon arrive at daybreak.  This nest was relocated to a safer part of the beach as it was close to the high tide line, during higher tides it would be over washed and would be destroyed by water.  This egg chamber was a little different because the egg chamber was very shelly, the shells protruding out on the sides of the egg cavity.  The sides of the egg chamber were also like hard cement, with 4 broken eggs caused by the sharp shells.  107 eggs were laid by this nesting mother, 4 were broken so 103 eggs were safely protected and relocated.

The weather forecast is rain on and off, as far as the rain is concerned, all looks good so far.  Many NB STP Volunteers have come to help, they will share stories, information and their passion for the endangered Sea Turtle Species.  They are anxious to see the results of their hard work all summer.\

A recap of what we know about this nest is given, along with the number of eggs, and days it incubated for before the major emergence.  

Well, so much for the rain holding out for us to finish, it started to pour.  The protection cage had been taken down already and no thunder or lightning, so the inventory is completed.  All are soaking wet, but finally it did stop.

There were 3 live hatchlings in this nest that were released on the beach to take their first crawl and then their first swim into the water.  Some Baby Hatchlings will make it past the waves the first time, while others it may take a try or two before taking that great big breath of air and diving a little under the wave to make it out.  Good luck out there little ones. We will never know for sure, if one of these Hatchlings will make it to adulthood to help save the future of the Sea Turtle Species. But the thought that one or more will make it to adulthood is pretty sweet.

Now for the inventory results, not has good as we had expected, but it may have been due to reasons be hound any of our control.  We may learn more about this particular mother once the DNA results come back.

51 % Hatch success rate

                103 relocated eggs

                           48 whole unhatched eggs

              55 Hatched eggs

0 dead 

                                                    3 live hatchlings (released on the beach)

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 immediately.

NMB STP HOTLINE

843-213-9074

ANYTIME DAY OR NIGHT