Last weekend I went on a little trip to Satellite Beach. While I was there I was lucky to witness a spectacular event. A mother Loggerhead Turtle lai her eggs right in front of the hotel I was staying at. I watched her lay her eggs at a respectful distance while staying as quite as possible. Others around were not as respectful. A group of people had circled beach chairs around the spot where the turtle was laying her eggs and continued to talk and shine lights and take pictures. As the turtle finished laying her eggs and started to return to the sea the group of people surrounded her and continued to take pictures and flash their lights. The turtle, scared, stopped where she was and could not return to the sea until the people had left. I was amazed by the complete disrespect these people had for this animal so I decided to post a blog informing others of the proper ways to interact with nesting sea turtles and other marine life.
Loggerhead Sea turtles are protected under the Federal Endangered Species Act of 1973. Florida Statutes restrict the disturbance and harassment of marine turtles, nests and eggs. That group of people was harassing the poor Loggerhead Turtle. That is not only morally wrong but it is against the law. I would like to ask everyone who reads my blog to respect and protect Florida's marine wildlife and when you do come across an amazing opportunity, such as witnessing a Loggerhead Turtle laying her eggs, please observe from a respectful distance and do your best to not interfere or interact. After all it is the law!
Cheers!
No comments:
Post a Comment