The public is being asked to keep their eyes out for sea turtle post hatchlings along the waterline. Baby sea turtles are being “washed back” into shore due to heavy winds and currents from Hurricane Eta.
On Wednesday, a green sea turtle hatchling was discovered in the weeds mixed with debris near the water’s edge on CocoPlum Beach in Marathon. James and Debora Hall rescued “Lil Buddy,” who remains in guarded condition at the Turtle Hospital.
Manager Bette Zirkelbach noted that there are no green sea turtle nesting sites in the Florida Keys, so “this little one blew in from other islands or another part of Florida.” She implored the public to take time to walk the beach and scour the weed line for these babies.
If you see a sea turtle in distress in the Florida Keys, call the Turtle Hopsital’s 24-hour stranding hotline at 305-481-7669.
