Instructions
Turn lights out. New hatchlings follow moonlight to the ocean. Young turtles may become disoriented and wander away from the water if other lights are present, thus resulting in dehydration and death. Turn off lights and shield indoor lights from shining on the beach with heavy curtains.
Avoid the beach late at night. Crowds of people will disorient young turtles seeking to find their way to the sea. If you see turtles crawling, observe only. Do not attempt to help or guide. You also may stumble upon a mother turtle laying her eggs. Allow this to happen without disturbing her and do not uncover the nest after she has left.
Pick up trash and collect discarded fishing line. Young turtles may become entangled in fishing line. Trash attracts raccoons and birds and will draw them to hatchlings, limiting the number that make it to the water. Raccoons may find eggs before they are hatched and clean out an entire nest.
Relocate the nest only as a last resort. In the case of a hurricane or high waves, a nest may need to be moved farther up the beach. Since sand is the only protection for eggs, rogue waves will expose them to the elements and predators. Conservationists and local marine life centers often supervise or assist these efforts.
How to Protect a Turtle's Nest
May 1 through October 31 each year could be called "turtle season," for it is during this time that female sea turtles crawl ashore to bury their eggs. The eggs gestate for two months and then new hatchlings emerge and scurry to the sea. It's often a perilous journey, however, as young turtles and turtle eggs are prey to crabs, raccoons, birds and other animals -- as well as human interference. Often, only 1 hatchling in 1,000 makes it to the sea. Because of this, specific efforts need to take place to protect these turtles.