Who Steals Turtles?

I came home to find out that one of the turtle nests on the beach had been robbed. 83 empty and cracked egg shells were found. Deep indentations in the sand appeared to have been made by someone's knees. There were no signs that any of the turtles made it to the sea. You have no idea how terrible this is.

These nests are watched everyday once the mother has come ashore in the night to lay her eggs. There are organized groups of volunteers who take this job to heart. Up an island or two is one of the largest turtle rehabilitation facilities on the east coast. We take our turtles seriously here.

Apparently the Feds do too. They are now helping in the investigation. I ask you "Who steals turtles?" How could you possibly take care of 83 baby turtles?

The nest are fenced off and these signs are posted on the fence. Nest watchers walk every morning and afternoon to check on the nest. Then when the time gets close the watcher calls everyone and the hatchlings are counted and helped to the sea.

Loggerhead sea turtle. This is the most prominent visitor we have here. However, for the first time in years we had a Leatherback turtle come and lay her eggs. The tracks were enormous. They are the fourth largest living reptiles.

Laying eggs in the sand. Many of the nests have over a hundred eggs. When I was a kid we would go out at night and walk the beach to watch the turtles come in to lay their eggs. They were so big and determined. Not till I was an adult did I get to see them hatch and flee for the sea.

BabyLoggerhead hatchlings getting help to the sea. Aren't they cute?