Sea Turtle Hatchling Rescued After Washing Ashore

A baby sea turtle was rescued and taken for rehabilitation after washing ashore in Volusia County this week. Volusia County Beach Safety found the hatchling and brought it to the Marine Science Center. The baby did successfully make it to the water’s edge after hatching from its nest, a process which as many as ten percent of hatchlings don’t complete. From there, however, it was cast back to the sand by the waves, wind, and/or currents of the shorebreak. In this case, the baby turtle was fortunate enough to be discovered by lifeguards who knew what to do. It was swiftly brought to the care of the Marine Science Center in Ponce Inlet, where it will be given the best possible chance of success once it’s healthy enough to be released back into the wild. According to the University of Florida’s Whitney Laboratory for Marine Bioscience, sea turtle ‘washbacks’ occur when turtles are swept back to the beach within the first few months of their lives. Several marine rehab facilities care for these turtles, allowing them to regain their energy to return to the ocean and resume their life journeys. Once turtles are back in the sea, it’s still an uphill battle. An estimated 1 in 1,000 sea turtles reach adulthood due to predators, entanglements, and other dangers of the open ocean. Those who happen upon a sea turtle hatchling which appears to be in distress or stranded are asked to bring it to the attention of a Volusia Beach Safety lifeguard. The Marine Science Center can also be reached at (386) 304-5545 for further assistance.