06/08/2022
Morning everybody,
Every year, between May and October, female sea turtles make the long, and often difficult journey to lay their eggs on the beaches of Tybee Island. Recently, we’ve received reports of night time beach goers stumbling upon nesting turtles and interfering with a natural process that’s been in place for thousands of years.
According to these reports, people have been spotted crowding the soon-to-be-mothers as they crawl onto the beach, using flash photography to capture shots or shining flashlights into the eyes of the turtles themselves. All of these actvities can confuse, disorient and startle nesting turtles, causing them to head back into the ocean without laying their eggs. We’ll be blunt. THIS IS NOT OK.
If you must use a flashlight on the beach at night, please ensure that it’s a “turtle safe” light equipped with a red lens. Should you happen to come across a turtle on our shores, remain as quiet as possible and observe from a respectful distance…or simply continue on your way. If that animal appears to be hurt or otherwise in distress, you can always contact the Tybee Island Police Department by dialing 911 or (912)786-5600 and we will coordinate with our partner organizations to ensure the turtle gets the help she needs. Working together, we can make sure that these beautiful animals are able to be thrive and be enjoyed for generations to come.
Thank you!
