Currently considered a threatened species, loggerhead sea turtles have been teetering towards being classified as endangered for many years. However, this summer there seems to be good news for these turtles. Instead of the depressingly low number of nests we have seen in recent years, the number of loggerhead nests this season is relatively high.
Along the southern Atlantic coast of Florida are the most densely populated nesting sites for loggerhead sea turtles. One nonprofit that studies these animals is the Loggerhead Marinelife Center in Juno Beach. The nonprofit keeps track of the sea turtles that nest on approximately 9.5 miles of beaches. In their area, a total of 10,977 loggerhead nests were found last season. This year, they have already logged 7,757 and the season is not even halfway over. According to the director of the center, Tom Longo, “we’re on pace to be over 20,000 this year. That’s a record for loggerheads.”
On other parts of the coast, the record-breaking trend continues. The turtles have been under protection for decades, so it seems like those years of effort may be paying off for the turtles. Protection includes certified biologists moving sea turtle eggs into better locations when the nest is in a bad spot and the exclusion of predators like raccoons and coyotes.
Hopefully this year will finish out strong for the loggerhead sea turtles!