cdiver2
Contributor
Dennis takes toll on turtles
Tuesday, July 12, 2005
It is illegal to disturb a sea turtle nest.
Even though the eye of Hurricane Dennis missed Tampa Bay, it had a big effect on an endangered species -- sea turtles.
Hurricane Dennis did more damage to sea turtle nests than all of last year's hurricanes combined.
Marine rescue Chief Jay Moyle said Dennis washed many nests -- each with the potential of producing 100 eggs -- away.
Scientists at Mote Marine Laboratory in Sarasota have documented 714 nests in the Manatee and Sarasota area. The Clearwater Marine Aquarium has counted 71, but now those numbers have dwindled.
Sea turtles are federally protected, but if Dennis is any indication of this hurricane season, the endangered animals could be in trouble.
Anyone who witnesses someone disturbing a turtle or who finds an injured or disoriented hatchling is asked to call the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission at 888-404-3922.
Tuesday, July 12, 2005
It is illegal to disturb a sea turtle nest.
Even though the eye of Hurricane Dennis missed Tampa Bay, it had a big effect on an endangered species -- sea turtles.
Hurricane Dennis did more damage to sea turtle nests than all of last year's hurricanes combined.
Marine rescue Chief Jay Moyle said Dennis washed many nests -- each with the potential of producing 100 eggs -- away.
Scientists at Mote Marine Laboratory in Sarasota have documented 714 nests in the Manatee and Sarasota area. The Clearwater Marine Aquarium has counted 71, but now those numbers have dwindled.
Sea turtles are federally protected, but if Dennis is any indication of this hurricane season, the endangered animals could be in trouble.
Anyone who witnesses someone disturbing a turtle or who finds an injured or disoriented hatchling is asked to call the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission at 888-404-3922.
