May 1st marked the start of the Sea Turtle Nesting season In Perdido Key. For the next few months female sea turtles will make their way ashore to set up their nests with eventually new hatchlings finding their way back into the gulf.
Sea turtles are endangered and Perdido Key is home to 4 of the 6 sea turtles found in the US; Loggerhead, Green, Leatherback and Kemps's Ridley. Only 1 in 1000 sea turtle hatchings survive to adulthood. Sea turtles will abandon nesting efforts if they encounter foreign objects like tents, chairs or PEOPLE.
The good news is that you can help the sea turtles and their chances of survival.
- KEEP THE BEACHES CLEAN. Remove tents, garbage, toys and chairs everyday.
- FILL IN HOLES AND KNOCK DOWN CASTLES. Sea Turtles get stuck in the holes left in the sand. Sand Castles obstruct their path.
- KEEP IT DARK. White light confuses and disturbs nesting sea turtles.
Want to learn more? Check out Escambia County's Sea Turtle Conservation Program.