The extent of the development on the beaches of Broward County and associated bright lights from condos, streets and highway traffic, has caused many problems for sea turtles, hatchlings in particular. Therefore most of the nests in Broward County were, in the past, relocated by authorized and permitted personnel to a safer beach area or hatchery where hatchlings could exit the nest and transverse the beach to the water on their own. Nests that were not moved were those that are already on safe beaches, although those were few and far between. As of 2006, this procedure has been modified. With the active enforcement of local lighting ordinances now being aggressively pursued, more safe beach areas have been created and have eliminated the relocation of most nests.

Incubation of Loggerhead and Green nests take about 45-55 days. Leatherback eggs take a bit longer, reaching upwards of 75 days, sometimes longer. After this period, the hatchlings emerge from the nest en masse and, using various environmental and inherited cues, quickly migrate to the water’s edge. If artificial lights are lighting the beach, the hatchlings can be disoriented, travel in the wrong direction, and possibly never make it to the water.

Once in the water, the hatchlings swim directly out to sea, facing a perilous struggle to survive to adulthood. The best scientific estimates available indicate that only one in 1,000 hatchlings will survive (anywhere from 20-50 years) to become an adult sea turtle.

The maximum age of adult turtles is unknown, but some have been kept in captivity longer than 50 years.

Our program, in conjunction with Anne Kolb Nature Center at West Lake Park in Hollywood, has public hatchling releases from mid-July through mid-September. You should call them directly for reservations, which are required. Please call the Sea Turtle Emergency cellphone (954 328-0580) if you find hatchlings in Broward County headed away from the sea or on the road.