Tropical depression impacts turtle nests

Tropical Depression 5 affected more than 200 turtle nests this week in Sarasota County, according to a Mote Marine Laboratory news release.

Mote scientists have moved some nests to drier ground and are assessing the damage.

“Substantial losses were recorded from Tropical Depression 5, and it will be some days before a final tally is known,” said Dr. Tony Tucker, manager of Mote’s Sea Turtle Conservation and Research Program, in a prepared statement.

Sea turtles breath air and have porous shells that allow the still-developing turtles inside to get the oxygen they need. However, because their shells are porous, turtles inside can sometimes drown when their nests are washed over.

Contact Robin Hartill at [email protected].