TREASURE ISLAND, Fla. (WFLA) — Officers stumbled upon a mother sea turtle preparing a nest for her soon-to-be hatchlings.
Treasure Island Police Department said officers Pavlovic and Funck were on a late-night beach patrol when they spotted the sea turtle.
“They respectfully kept their distance, marked the spot, and dimmed their lights to allow the mother turtle to complete her nesting process. The Clearwater Marine Aquarium was informed about the new nest,” stated the Treasure Island Police Department in a Facebook post.
To keep the sea turtles safe, the community can:
- Turn off the lights or close your shades at night.
- Leave no trace on the beach—take all your belongings and trash with you.
- Fill in any holes and flatten sandcastles before you leave.
- NEVER touch sea turtles.
- WATCH: Officers find sea turtle preparing nest at Treasure Island beach
- Ducklings rescued after falling into storm drain in Madeira Beach neighborhood
According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the nesting season for sea turtles is in spring and summer.
Getting too close to sea turtles can cause them to leave the beach before they are done nesting.
All species of sea turtles and their nest are protected and should not be disturbed, FWC said.
Anyone who witnesses someone interfering with a sea turtle nest or spots an injured, deceased, or harassed sea turtle should report it to the FWC’s Wildlife Alert hotline at 888-404-3922.
