Volunteers from the Beaches Sea Turtle Patrol found the hatchlings’ remains during their morning search.
A shocking incident unfolded on a Florida beach when an unleashed stray dog killed 23 newborn sea turtles. The attack happened just hours after the turtles hatched near Second Street in Atlantic Beach.
Volunteers from the Beaches Sea Turtle Patrol found the hatchlings’ remains during their morning search. The group confirmed the news in a Facebook post, saying the baby turtles were likely killed as they made their way from the sand to the ocean.
Investigators believe the culprit was not a wild animal, but a pet dog that had been left off its leash. The discovery has sparked strong calls for pet owners to keep their animals under control, especially near nesting areas.
"23 sea turtle hatchlings that volunteers found dead near Second Street in Atlantic Beach likely were killed by an unleashed dog as the hatchlings emerged from their nest," the patrol wrote.
The Beaches Sea Turtle Patrol did not confirm which species of turtles were killed. However, Florida beaches host five species of federally protected turtles: loggerhead, green, leatherback, Kemp's Ridley, and Hawksbill.
Scientists warn that sea turtles already face extremely low survival rates. Only one out of every 1,000 hatchlings usually survives long enough to reach adulthood. Losing 23 hatchlings at once is a major setback to conservation efforts.
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The hatchlings were killed during what experts call a “turtle boil.” This is when several turtles hatch at the same time and head toward the ocean together. The group movement is meant to overwhelm natural predators like seagulls, raccoons, and foxes. But in this case, an unleashed dog turned the event into a tragedy.
Local authorities have reminded residents that pet owners are fully responsible for their animals’ actions.
"You are, as a pet owner, entirely liable for any damages your pet does either on the leash or off the leash. If your pet wrecks a sea turtle nest, that is considered harassment," said FWC Spokesperson Officer Robert Lentz.
Each sea turtle nest can hold over 100 eggs. While many from the nest may still have survived, the loss of 23 hatchlings remains heartbreaking, said Beaches Sea Turtle Patrol Field Supervisor Kevin Brown.
Officials at Atlantic Beach are urging people to help identify the dog involved. Beachgoers have been asked to take photos of any stray or unleashed dogs and report them to the police. Authorities believe the suspected dog may still be roaming free in the area.
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