Sea turtle nests may be making a comeback
Jul 13, 2012 5:39 PM EDT
Last month tropical storm Debby washed out many sea turtle nests in Southwest Florida, but sea turtle experts say this season still has the potential to be one of the best seasons for sea turtle hatchlings in more than a decade.
Maura Kraus, Collier County Sea Turtle Protection Leader, says more than 150 new nests have been found since the storm hit.
"This one (nest) was laid after tropical storm Debby and its nice and high in the dune and its fine," Kraus said.
In the weeks since Debby's devastation, sea turtle experts are finding more good news, in addition to discovering new nests, there are also stories of survival.
Volunteers for Eve Haverfield's Turtle Time group re-buried 200 eggs after Debby washed out nests on Bonita Beach and Fort Myers Beach.
"Sure enough she went out there after a rainstorm and here they were, these little heads popping out they were very energetic, and they raced out to the sea and that was a thrilling moment," Haverfield said.
It will be years before experts know whether conservation efforts are finally paying off, but evidence so far says Southwest Florida is heading in the right direction.
"Hopefully our high numbers this year are a result of our efforts but it's Mother Nature, so you don't really know," Kraus said.
NBC News
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