Live Streaming Turtle Cams

A short time ago, I read that live streaming webcams were being placed at three Loggerhead sea turtle nests, on a private beach on Big Pine Key in the Lower Florida Keys. These cameras were funded by the Florida Keys tourism council in an effort to raise awareness of sea turtles and two Keys based organizations, Save-A-Turtle and Marathon's Turtle Hospital that are working to protect and care for marine turtles and their habitat.

Laws prohibit people from touching or disturbing hatchlings, nests and nesting turtles, however the placement of these webcams was approved by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission.

The turtle cams were put on three loggerhead nests in mid-August. The cameras were equipped with infrared emitters to avoid any disturbing the turtle hatchlings. Sadly, the first nest did not produce a hatch, the second did, but there was a problem with the camera and it failed to record. The third nest however, was a complete success! Now we can all watch the baby loggerheads emerge from their nest and make their way to the ocean. You may want to share this with your friends. :-)

CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE WEBCAM

Wham The Loggerhead

Mote Marine Laboratory researchers, in Sarasota Florida, have attached satellite-tracking devices on 71 sea turtles, starting with five tags in 2005. Wham was among a class of 23 females tagged this spring at Casey Key, where Wham dug six nests before returning to the ocean. The tracking devices have revealed a regular route for the turtles to foraging grounds. Scientists noticed that Wham's journey seemed to be going wrong. The turtle, apparently attacked by a shark off Cuba, was rescued Aug. 23 near the Dry Tortugas and transported to the Turtle Hospital in Marathon.

Johnny The Loggerhead

A sub adult Loggerhead Sea Turtle named Johnny, has made a remarkable recovery and was released this morning. The turtle had been attacked with a machete, in July. You can read the complete story about it's injuries and treatment at The Turtle Hospital. The hospital is located at Marathon, Florida. It tells about the release and you have to look down further to a July entry about the injuries and treatment.