Many turtle hatchlings become disoriented and are presumed dead
A tragedy happened in the sea turtle world recently, according to Eve Haverfield of Turtle Time, Inc.
On Tuesday, July 28, 167 out of 222 hatchlings from two nests at different locations on Fort Myers Beach were reported unaccounted for and the majority presumed dead. The hatchlings were born sometime Monday evening and it appears they became disoriented and steered away from their destined Gulf due to residential and business lighting.
Haverfield said that the incidents at the two nests -one at Lynn Hall Park near Times Square and the other by Gulf Street north of Flamingo Road- could have been avoided if proper lighting was used or proper shielding was practiced.
The Gulf Street nest produced 121 eggs. Of that number, 120 hatched; two were found stuck in the nest; one was found dead on beach and 117 were not found.
“At nest #3 (Gulf Street), we had it shielded because there was some concern coming from the south end involving interior lights from condos and hotels on the beach,” Haverfield said. “We shielded that nest hoping to funnel the hatchlings to the Gulf, but once they emerged past the shield they made a turn to the right (north). We saw the tracks 300 feet away from the water.”
The Lynn Hall Park nest produced 101 hatchlings. Of that, nine were rescued; four were stuck in the nest; 38 made it to the water judging by the tracks and 50 were unfound.
“This had to be the result of the bright lights near the pier,” said Haverfield. “I know code enforcements have been working with some of these businesses. If all these light would have been angled so that you don’t see the point source, there wouldn’t have been this problem.
“According to the tracks, they all went straight down to the water and suddenly, at mid-beach, they must have saw the light to the left. You can see in the sand the about face that they did. I followed the tracks in the morning.”
Haverfield said one Times Square business -The Beach Pierside Grill- has worked very diligently to become turtle friendly.
“Their flourescent sign goes off at 9 p.m.,” she said. “I know that last year they had little table lamps and Owner Martin York had these tiny pocket flashlights with something that said we are doing this to save the turtles. We were so pleased with that. If everyone had that positive attitude and our tourists and visitors can still enjoy our businesses, wouldn’t that be a wonderful balance.”
A complete story will appear in the Beach Observer Wednesday.