VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — Volusia County is asking people to keep an eye out for tiny sea turtles washing up on the shore.
During turtle nesting season, you will see nests along the beach, but as the babies hatch and head out to sea, they can sometimes wash back to shore.
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While the Marine Science Center has has not seen any “washbacks” yet this season, it say as the number of storms begin to increase, so will the number of washbacks.
Alyssa Hancock, assistant manager of turtle rehabilitation at the center, said the number of washbacks they see each season can vary greatly depending on beach conditions and the number and intensity of the storms, which can bring those tiny turtles in from the seaweed line that sits about 40 miles off the coast.
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“They are too lethargic at that point to make it back on their own, so they get brought to our center,” she said.
Once they are at the center, Hancock said the turtles are catologed, measured and weighed.
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They are then given fluids to help their blood sugar levels, which tend to be low, and are cared for until they are ready to be released.
If you find a washback, do not put in water. The turtles don’t have a lot of engery and can barely lift their heads. Instead, put them on a damp towel or wet sand and call over a lifeguard.
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