Impact of Tropical Storm Debby on Hilton Head Island Sea Turtles

Challenges and Resilience of Their Journey

Hilton Head Island, SC – The journey of sea turtles from their nests to the ocean is often arduous, a situation that may have been potentially exacerbated by the recent Tropical Storm Debby. However, the reports reveal surprising resilience among endangered sea turtles on Hilton Head Island.

The number of sea turtle nests reported on Hilton Head Island this season is around 195, which is already lower than average. The advent of Tropical Storm Debby posed concerns about the condition of these nests in the storm’s aftermath. Nonetheless, Sea Turtle Patrol Hilton Head Island reports that only a single nest was lost in the storm so far, albeit the future remains uncertain for the vulnerable hatchlings.

How Rain Adversely Affects Sea Turtles

Amber Kuehn from Sea Turtle Patrol Hilton Head Island, explains the deadly impact the storm could have had on the nests. “When we had ten inches of rain the beach can’t percolate that much water,” said Amber. This results in standing water, which potentially could be fatal for hatchlings as they require a dry environment.

Amber further elaborated that “There’s a gas exchange taking place in the egg chamber that necessitates a dry environment. With water inundating these nests, we cannot rule out major losses on the beach in the near future as we begin our inventory count.”

Human Intervention and Natural Forces

Amber clarifies that human intervention can only go so far in managing the conditions. “There’s no way to prevent it. It’s nature and it would have happened to them regardless. We mark the nests to control the human impact, but nature is something we can’t manage that well.” Sea turtle season extends through September, and about 74 turtles have already hatched. However, with about 120 nests still out there, concerns about their future loom.

Citizens who would like to learn more about sea turtles and ways to support their conservation can visit https://seaturtlepatrolhhi.org/.

Source: HERE News Network