64 baby turtles found trapped in Florida pool
A homeowner in Florida's Keys was shocked to discover 64 baby sea turtles trapped in their backyard swimming pool, all found to be loggerhead hatchlings. The hospital staff at The Turtle Hospital quickly rescued the turtles, cleaned them, and checked their swimming ability. All the turtles passed the swim tests, allowing them to be released into the Gulf Stream a few days later.
The hospital identified the turtles as loggerhead hatchlings and mentioned that the issue of artificial nighttime lighting is becoming increasingly problematic due to coastal development. The hospital's general manager, Bette Zirkelbach, emphasized the importance of reducing light pollution to protect baby sea turtles. Artificial lighting can confuse hatchlings, leading them away from the ocean.
The hospital urges those living near the coast to minimize artificial lights, close curtains, and use low-lit, downward-pointing bulbs to help guide hatchlings safely to the sea. If someone encounters a stranded or distressed turtle, they should contact The Turtle Hospital's 24-hour hotline at (305) 481-7669 or the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's statewide hotline at (888) 404-3922.
Written by urgent.news from The Economic Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
