(AP) FT. LAUDERDALE Reports of disoriented turtle hatchlings spike in Broward and some experts are saying that reports of disoriented sea turtle hatchlings along Broward County beaches have spiked this year after state and federal officials discouraged relocating their nests.

Thousands of green, loggerhead and leatherback turtles lay their eggs each year on Broward's beaches. The county had routinely relocated nests dug in brightly lit beaches to darker areas to protect the hatchlings, which instinctively crawl toward light upon leaving the nest.

But this year, state and federal officials emphasized reducing artificial light from hotels, condos, restaurants and streetlights instead of relocating the nests. Officials said moving the nests disrupted the little-understood dynamics of the natural nests and did nothing to help the turtles' survival.

Broward County officials have so far recorded nearly 400 reports of disoriented hatchlings this year, up from 134 in 2005.

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