Florida officials announce record year for certain threatened sea turtle nests
Here are the final numbers:
Green Turtles: 14,308
Loggerheads: 110,122
Leatherbacks: 1,799
Kemp's Ridleys: 34
Hawksbills: 0
[DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks]
These numbers are especially critical for loggerhead sea turtles and green turtles, which increasingly rely on Florida for nesting grounds.
FWC says Florida beaches host around 90% of all loggerhead nests in the Southeast United States and about 40% of them worldwide. Officials say last season had a solid turnout,. Green turtle nesting numbers were lower than last year, but that was expected -- Last year set a new record.
The number of Kemp's ridley nests is significant, despite the number being far behind the rest. This is a new record for the state, and a positive sign for the most endangered species of sea turtle.
There were just 10 recorded in 2023 and 8 in 2022, according to FWC data.
At the end of nesting season in October, St. Johns County recorded 4 Kemp's ridley turtles on its beaches.
The first Kemp's ridley sea turtle nest recorded in St. Johns County was in 2015, after conservationist attempts to expand their nesting grounds.
Sea turtle conservationists have raised concerns about the status of the animals in 2025, however.
When water temperatures drop to the low 50s or below, sea turtles can become cold-stressed, which causes them to become lethargic and possibly stranded on shore.
Related: Doctors at St. Johns County sea turtle hospital saw highest influx of sea turtles in January
The Florida Aquarium announced Thursday that it had reached capacity for sea turtle rescues as record numbers of cold-stressed patients arrived at its rehabilitation center in Apollo Beach. Officials say they now have 56, which is the highest number recorded at one time.
'This is one of the earliest and most severe cold-stress events we've ever seen,' said Dr. Debi Luke, Senior Vice President of Conservation at The Florida Aquarium. 'We usually see strandings peak between late February and April, but we're already at full capacity, and more turtles are continuing to struggle.'
Cold stress is also a leading cause of death for Florida's threatened manatees.
Related: 565 manatees were reported dead in Florida last year: Here's what we've learned
If you see a washed-up sea turtle, St. Johns County officials say to never push them back into the ocean. Instead, you're encouraged to call the FWC Wildlife Hotline.
To call, dial 888-404-3922.
[SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
02-08-2025
- Yahoo
FIRST ALERT WEATHER: Heat relief as a stormy weather pattern begins
The Action News Jax First Alert Weather Team is tracking a dry and hot Saturday, but expect scattered afternoon storms to bring heavy rain, lightning, and gusty winds. Notes from the First Alert Weather Team: Saturday morning is dry and warm with temperatures in the upper 70s and lower 80s. Temperatures will rise into the mid-90s one more time Saturday, especially in Florida. Heating will quickly end with the development of scattered to numerous thunderstorms by the afternoon. Storms will be capable of very heavy rain, causing some flooding, frequent lightning, and strong wind gusts. A few storms could linger well past sunset Saturday night. Showers and storms will continue at times Sunday with a stalled front nearby. This will keep abundant cloud cover and rain around, which will give 'cooler' than average temperatures. An overall wet pattern continues into next week with daily rounds of showers and thunderstorms. This weekend, 1-3″ of rain is likely in many neighborhoods, especially across SE GA. Locally higher amounts of 3-4″ are possible. TROPICS: No active storms and no areas of concern for now. Long-term signals beyond 7 days indicate the potential for some tropical activity over the Caribbean/Gulf/SW Atlantic. The next name is Dexter. First Alert Weather 7-day forecast: SATURDAY: Hot and humid with scattered mid-day and afternoon thunderstorms, some heavy. HIGH: 95 SATURDAY NIGHT: A few storms through the evening, then partly cloudy after midnight. LOW: 75 SUNDAY: Warm and humid with scattered mid-day and afternoon thunderstorms, some heavy. 75/87 MONDAY: Partly cloudy with mid-day and afternoon showers and thunderstorms. 74/89 TUESDAY: Partly cloudy with scattered afternoon thunderstorms. 73/92 WEDNESDAY: Partly cloudy with scattered afternoon thunderstorms. 74/91 THURSDAY: Partly cloudy with scattered afternoon thunderstorms. 75/92 FRIDAY: Partly cloudy with scattered afternoon thunderstorms. 74/91 WATCH THE FORECAST | DOWNLOAD THE APPS ALLERGY TRACKER: See what the pollen counts look like in our area LISTEN: Mike Buresh 'All the Weather, All the Time' Podcast INTERACTIVE RADAR: Keep track of the rain as it moves through your neighborhood SHARE WITH US: Send us photos of the weather you're seeing in your area ⬇️ Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
16-07-2025
- Yahoo
FIRST ALERT WEATHER: Heat, humidity return with a few late day storms
Tracking a dry morning commute. Hot afternoon with highs in the lower 90s and feels like temperatures 100+. A few late afternoon showers/storms well inland. Locally heavy downpours and lightning are the main threats. Moderate rip current risk at local beaches today. The heat cranks up as we head into the weekend. Highs on Saturday and Sunday will be in the mid to upper 90s with feels like temps. 105+. TROPICS The First Alert Weather Team is tracking low pressure moving across the Western Panhandle of Florida. Some possibility of development as it approaches Louisiana tomorrow if it can move into the Gulf. The next named storm will be 'Dexter' More details: Talking the Tropics with Mike TODAY: Partly cloudy, a few late afternoon showers/storms. High: 92 (Feels like: 101+) TONIGHT: Partly cloudy. Isolated shower early. Low: 73 THURSDAY: Partly sunny, a few inland storms. 73/92 FRIDAY: Partly cloudy & hot, isolated afternoon storms. 74/95 SATURDAY: Partly sunny, isolated afternoon shower/storm. 74/96 SUNDAY: Partly sunny and hot. Isolated afternoon storm. 75/95 MONDAY: Partly sunny and hot. Isolated afternoon storm. 74/97 TUESDAY: Partly sunny and hot. A few afternoon storms. 75/96 >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live.
Miami Herald
16-07-2025
- Miami Herald
South Florida showers may prompt more gator and snake sightings, officials warn
Rainfall totals on Monday matched forecasts of 1 to 3 inches across South Florida. And while the region avoided major flooding, the soggy conditions could still stir up some unexpected wildlife — namely, alligators and snakes. CBS Miami reports these animals are often displaced by rising water and may be spotted in neighborhoods, parks, or even roadways, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Although the FWC has not issued a new advisory tied specifically to Monday's storms, the agency has previously warned: 'Alligators and snakes might be observed more frequently after a major storm event, especially in areas with flooding. Keep them at a distance and give them space.' Wildlife may follow the water The FWC reminds residents not to feed or approach wild animals under any circumstances. Even animals that appear to be orphaned or abandoned may not be. 'Rarely are animals actually orphaned; a parent could be searching for food or observing its young from a distance,' the agency said in the prior release. For injured wildlife, residents are encouraged to contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. A list by county is available at under 'How You Can Conserve' → 'Living with Wildlife' → 'Injured and Orphaned Wildlife.' Manatees and nuisance gators Manatees may also become stranded during rough weather. 'If you encounter a stranded, injured or dead manatee, do not attempt to handle it on your own,' the FWC call the Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-3922. If an alligator poses a threat to people, pets or property, call the Nuisance Alligator Hotline at 866-FWC-GATOR (866-392-4286). The FWC will dispatch a licensed trapper if needed.
