Last sea turtle nest at Myrtle Beach State Park emerges; Inventory shows successful nest
MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WPDE) — Turtle season is starting to wrap up in our area.
Hatchlings from the last nest at the Myrtle Beach State Park emerged three days ago. The inventory of that nest was Thursday morning.
The photos from the beach are red because they're using red flashlights. White lights can disorient turtles, so you shouldn't use white lights on the beach during turtle season.
This was a Loggerhead Sea Turtle nest, which is the most common in South Carolina.
RELATED: 'Egg-cellent:' Almost 2,000 sea turtle eggs laid in Horry County during nesting season
Inventories supply data to help monitor the endangered species. The park ranger says this was a successful nest, and a successful season along our state's coast.
"All the conservation work that has been going on for 25, 30, 35 plus years is finally paying off. So, we have to continue the cause," said Ann Wilson, Myrtle Beach State Park park ranger.
Sea turtles are protected under the Federal Endangered Species Act of 1973.
As a reminder, it is illegal to disturb or harass sea turtles and results in steep fines or violations.
Click here to learn more about the South Carolina DNR Sea Turtle Conservation Program and how many turtles nests we had along our coast this year.
