- April 19, 2024
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The stars of the eighth-annual Turtle Fest were three juvenile green sea turtles that were strutted down the beach and released back into the Atlantic Ocean. Lucy, Nigel and Ewok all arrived at the Marine Science Center in Ponce Inlet in February to be rehabilitated from a variety of ailments including cold stunning, dehydration and electrolyte imbalance. After being nursed back to health and a good weight, they were transported to Flagler Beach Saturday, April 4, for their big return to the ocean.
“It’s a huge reward for us,” said Beth Liebert, president of the Volusia/Flagler Turtle Patrol. “We spend countless hours out here picking up dead and injured turtles, more dead than alive.”
The Turtle Fest is the primary fundraiser for the Turtle Patrol and focuses on awareness for the turtles. Liebert said by having the release of the rehabbed turtles as part of the event, it puts a face on the issue. At the festival, 50 nest for the upcoming season were adopted and there is also a waiting list that began around Christmas time.
“Flagler beach really loves their sea turtles,” she said.
Nesting season officially begins May 1, but Liebert said there is a chance that a leatherback could make her way to the beach before then.
Sea turtle nesting season
Sea Turtle Nesting Season starts May 1 and continues through October 31. In preparation of nesting season, the city of Flagler Beach encourages the public to be aware of city ordinances that help to protect nesting females and their hatchlings. One of those ordinances is a ban on campfires and bonfires on the beach during nesting season.
Sea Turtles are a protected species and Florida State Statute 379.2431 states that “Any person, firm, or corporation that illegally takes, disturbs, mutilates, destroys, causes to be destroyed, transfers, sells, offers to sell, molests or harasses any marine turtle species, or the eggs or nest of any marine turtle species as described in this subsection, commits a third degree felony.”
Along the coastlines of Florida, sea turtles annually make between 40,000 and 84,000 nests and eggs have an incubation period of about two months. Sea turtles have existed for over 100 million years and scientists estimate that only one in 1,000 to 10,000 babies will survive to adulthood.
Other precautions such as turning off or shielding lights near the beach and filling in holes in the sand help to protect nesting females and their hatchlings.
The public’s assistance in helping protect the sea turtles is key. Questions about protection laws can be directed to the Flagler Beach Police Department.
For more pictures from the event, click here.
