The Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF) has been closely monitoring sea turtle nesting activity on the islands. As of May 28th, a total of 178 nests have been documented:
- 177 loggerhead nests
- 1 leatherback nest
These nests are scattered across Sanibel and Captiva, with 44 loggerhead nests found on Captiva and 133 loggerheads (and the single leatherback) on Sanibel.
SCCF staff also encountered two loggerhead turtles during morning surveys last week. One had just finished nesting, while the other returned to the Gulf after a “false crawl.”
Protecting Sea Turtle Nests
Protecting these nests is vital for the future of sea turtles. SCCF implements several measures to ensure their success:
- Nest Marking and Screening: Once a nest is found, it is carefully marked off and screened to deter beachgoers and predators like coyotes.
- New Deterrent for Coyotes: To further protect the nests, SCCF has begun using habanero pepper around the eggs. The screen prevents digging, and the pepper discourages them with its smell.
Nighttime Tagging Program Update
Since May 1st, SCCF’s nighttime sea turtle team has been busy encountering nesting females 73 times! Interestingly, they’ve even seen some “familiar faces” – turtles they first tagged in previous years (2016-2022).
This nighttime tagging program is crucial for understanding sea turtle behavior. By tagging new turtles and identifying those previously tagged, valuable data is collected on how they respond to local conditions.
How You Can Help
If you see a suspected new nest or have concerns about nests, turtles, beach lighting, or furniture, please call the SCCF Sea Turtle Hotline at 978-SAVE-ONE (978-728-3663).
For more information on how you can help protect and care for sea turtles, visit the Sanibel-Captiva Lifesavers website: https://sancaplifesavers.org/
