A turtle tragedy
Folly Beach, SC
Recently, a loggerhead nest was dug up on Folly Beach. Odds are the eggs will not develop since they've been tampered with.
On June 30, a clutch of 51 eggs was discovered in the 1600 block of East Ashley. Normally, this would be a joyous occasion. However, this nest had already been discovered and marked by the local Turtle Team. It was only noticed because someone had actually dug into the nest and removed the eggs sometime during the night. Because of the placement of the eggs, it is believed that a human being is responsible. There is little hope that the eggs will develop and hatch now that they have been uncovered and handled. Volunteers will be keeping an eye on the nest just in case.
Our local beach is among the fortunate ones which are used by the Loggerhead sea turtle, a threatened species, for nesting along the East Coast. According to Judi Beahn, Folly Beach’s Turtle Team leader, this is the first time in her memory that something like this has happened on Folly Beach.
Sea turtles need our help to survive. If you find a sea turtle nest, whether it is marked or not, please do not disturb the area. If it is not marked, contact the Public Safety Department at 588-2433 to report it so that it can be marked and protected.
