It was a team effort the night of June 23 when a group of disoriented loggerhead sea turtle hatchlings were rescued on South Roosevelt Boulevard. The Key West Wildlife Center, volunteers with Save-A-Turtle, Key West Police and the city’s utilities contractor OMI were all quick to arrive at the scene, where 15 newly hatched turtles were trapped in a storm drain. All told, 19 baby sea turtles were rescued and released in the ocean.
Summer is the peak season for turtle nesting and hatching season.
Hatchlings naturally run toward light after leaving their sandy nests on the beach, thinking it’s the moon, on their way to the ocean. Anyone living near the beach must turn off outdoor lighting and close their shades or curtains to block interior lighting that can misdirect hatchlings. If the lights cannot be completely doused, try shielding them so that they don’t shine toward the beach. Porch lights can be fatal to hatchlings.
Key West’s beaches are closed to the public each night at 11 p.m., and this time of year it’s vital that people heed the law. Turtle nesting season runs April 15 to Oct. 31.
