VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has issued guidelines to protect sea turtles and shorebirds during nesting season ahead of the holiday weekend.
Beachgoers are advised to maintain a 50-foot distance from wildlife and avoid artificial lighting after dark to prevent disorientation.
Disoriented sea turtles and hatchlings can sometimes end up on coastal sidewalks or roadways. Drivers along coastal routes are asked to travel slowly to keep both wildlife and pedestrians safe.
Anyone who finds a sea turtle hatchling away from the beach or an adult turtle in distress should call the commission’s Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922).
To ensure safety, officials also recommend removing beach furniture, filling sand holes, and keeping pets leashed near nesting areas.
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