Sea Turtle Conservancy

Support the Tour de Turtles Online Auction! We are seeking item donations for our next Online Auction Fundraiser which runs July 31 - August 3. Please email [email protected] if you're interested in donating or sponsoring the event, or simply fill out the online form here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeXlC1WHeVQBjoYtay_QF80aWB-em5srY2SYq1MOIm2ouV1EQ/viewform

Nesting update from Sea Turtle Conservancy Bocas del Toro! We are excited to report that we have the following number of nests at our project sites in Panama through the month of May:
🐢 Chiriqui: 1568 leatherback, 78 hawksbill
🐢 Soropta: 924 leatherback, 4 hawksbill
🐢 Bluff: 133 leatherback, 9 hawksbill
🐢 Drago: 20 leatherback, 7 hawksbill

Photo credit: Alexander Arosemena

Does anyone remember loggerhead turtle Leia from 2020-2021? She is an adult female turtle released with a satellite transmitter on July 22, 2020 after nesting in the Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge, Florida. Her last known location was off the coast of the Everglades National Park on July 3, 2021. We just got word from our colleagues that she was seen false crawling on Hutchinson Island, FL last week! Even though she doesn't have a satellite transmitter anymore, she has small flipper tags and an internal PIT tag that allows researchers to identify her. Glad to hear Leia is still out there living the good life! 💛

The face you make when you see we still have spots open for our Guided Sea Turtle Walks (begining next week)! 🤯 Sea Turtle Conservancy has a limited number of spaces for the public to join us for the chance to see a nesting loggerhead turtle in the Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge on Melbourne Beach, Florida this June and July. More info and sign up: https://conserveturtles.org/program-activity/guided-sea-turtle-watch/

Photo credit: Staci-lee Sherwood

ICYMI: Last week, researchers documented the first ever olive ridley nest in Florida!

Rare olive ridley sea turtle nest documented in Florida for the first time Researchers with Loggerhead Marinelife Center have documented what they say is the first known olive ridley sea turtle nest in Florida.

Only a few days left to get your limited edition PROTECT ENDANGERED SPECIES gear! $8 from every shirt is donated to the Sea Turtle Conservancy. Multiple colors and styles available, including organic tees, tank tops, long sleeve and youth sizes. Only available through this Sunday, so don't wait! https://float.org/collections/stc

Great news! Last week, Representative Beyer introduced the Protect Gulf Life Act, a bill that aims to nullify the March 31 decision by the “God Squad” to exempt oil and gas activities in the Gulf from Endangered Species Act (ESA) requirements.

Right now, ESA-listed sea turtles and marine mammals, fish, and corals across 600,000 square miles in the Gulf are unprotected from harm by the oil and gas industry. Sea turtles need this decision to be reversed. Please contact your U.S. House Representative and encourage them to support the Protect Gulf Life Act!

WOW! Another critically endangered Kemp's ridley nested in Volusia County, FL! This makes four on this stretch of beach. They also reported that this lovely little turtle had a very distinctive shell so they know they have never seen her before. How exciting!