SANIBEL-CAPTIVA CONSERVATION FOUNDATION A leatherback sea turtle nest — the first nest documented on the islands for the 2024 season and the first of its kind on Sanibel in four years — hatched this week, with 40 hatchlings emerging.

The Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation reported that the first sea turtle nest documented on the islands for the 2024 season — which was laid by a leatherback — hatched this week.

It was the first nest on Sanibel from a leatherback in four years.

Its hatching marked the beginning of a cascade of loggerhead nests that are hatching on Sanibel and Captiva. During an inventory of the leatherback nest, SCCF biologists and permitted volunteers documented 113 eggs, including 40 emerged leatherback hatchlings.

As of July 2, the total nests and emerged hatchlings for the islands were:

– 646 loggerhead nests

SANIBEL-CAPTIVA CONSERVATION FOUNDATION A leatherback sea turtle nest — the first nest documented on the islands for the 2024 season and the first of its kind on Sanibel in four years — hatched this week, with 40 hatchlings emerging.

– 243 emerged loggerhead hatchlings

– One leatherback nest

– 40 emerged leatherback hatchlings

The SCCF noted that total nest counts include nests that have already hatched or been lost.

The public can help to protect nesting females and hatchlings by keeping the beaches clean, flat and dark through the following measures:

SANIBEL-CAPTIVA CONSERVATION FOUNDATION A leatherback sea turtle nest — the first nest documented on the islands for the 2024 season and the first of its kind on Sanibel in four years — hatched this week, with 40 hatchlings emerging.

– Turn off lights and flashlights on and near the beach after 9 p.m. Artificial lights disorient hatchlings and may deter nesting females.

– Fill in holes, flatten sandcastles and remove beach furniture. These can all create obstacles to both hatchlings and nesting sea turtles.

– Properly dispose of food and trash.

To report issues with nests, hatchlings, sea turtles, or lighting or furniture compliance, contact the SCCF Sea Turtle Hotline at 978-728-3663.

For more ways to protect and care for sea turtles, visit https://sancaplifesavers.org/.

SANIBEL-CAPTIVA CONSERVATION FOUNDATION The public can help to protect nesting sea turtle females and their hatchlings by keeping the beaches on Sanibel and Captiva clean, flat and dark.