The giant ancestors of sea turtles decided to return to the ocean sometime during the Age of Dinosaurs, but the eight species that survive today face modern hazards that endanger the marine reptiles more than ever.
The most dangerous time in their biological cycle is nesting season, when adult females return to land in order to lay eggs. Because Florida's beaches are important nesting grounds for Loggerhead, Green and Leatherback sea turtles, the Pinellas County Park Department educates area residents on how to protect and preserve these creatures through hands-on classes.
The sea turtle program, titled Ancient Nomads of the Sea, takes place at Sand Key Park from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. on select Fridays (July 11 and 25, and Aug. 8 and 22) through peak nesting season.
Each session includes an overview of sea turtles' mythology, natural history and a slide presentation on their migratory and nesting habits. Auxiliary rangers Paul and Ellen Stellrecht, who lead the presentation, focus mainly on Loggerheads, which are classified as "threatened." In fact they're the only species of sea turtle not listed as endangered, and Florida's coasts are their second most important nesting area in the world.
Once the basics are covered, biologist Glen Harman guides participants to restricted-access nesting grounds on Sand Key Beach. Along the way, he demonstrates tracking techniques and narrates the beachcombing adventure.
Harman works at Clearwater Marine Aquarium, where he rescues, rehabilitates and releases injured sea turtles. He visits beaches such as Sand Key throughout the summer to mark nests with flags and stakes.
When a female sea turtle comes ashore, she does so at night, navigating by the reflection of the moon on the water. She crawls up the beach beyond the high-tide line and searches for a desirable spot in the sand. Having found a good spot, the female then uses her rear flippers to dig a chamber, in which she lays about 18 golf ball-size eggs. After she spreads the sand back over the hole, she returns to the water. If all goes well, 50 to 55 days later, the hatchlings emerge and scoot their ways into the water too.
Unfortunately these animals face numerous unnatural obstacles. Females become disoriented in urban areas by lights from condominiums. Vehicles on beaches run over nests. Poachers dig up the eggs, which are considered a delicacy. And even if the hatchlings make it to adulthood, the nets of commercial fishing trawlers catch and injure them.
It ain't easy being protected under the Federal Endangered Species Act of 1973 and the Florida Marine Turtle Protection Act.
However, new legislation recently increased the penalties for sea turtle poaching and programs such as the one at Sand Key continue to improve people's knowledge of sea turtle ecology.
Families are welcome to participate in the classes. For nature lovers, it's sure to make for a memorable date.
Sand Key Park is located at 1060 Gulf Blvd., Clearwater. For more info, call 727-464-3347.
This article appears in Jul 10-16, 2003.