Fripp Island Turtle Fripp Island Turtle Protection Program Fripp Island Turtle

Turtle Nest Protection Program

35 Nests for the 2008 season
"Click" here for details & pictures 
Some of the members of The 2008 Turtle Team
L-R standing Karen Natoli, Sam Taylor, Kathy Agee, Linda Freeman, Bob Freeman, Anthony Natoli, Ben TenEyck, Faye Baxter, Robbie White, Cyndi White & Dicky Blanchard. Kneeling - Janie Lackman, Jane TenEyck, Martha Blanchard & KC (ghost crab control officer)

Welcome to our Web Site. Please plan to spend some time with us. Links are underlined so "click" them and enhance your surfing experience.

Exploring our site should illustrate what we do and why we do it so start by reading about
Dr. Archie Carr.
 The man responsible for accumulating most of what is known about the biology and life cycle of sea turtles.

Photo by Gary Braatz taken at sunset as turtle returned to the sea after nesting on July 1,2008. She wore two flipper tags, RRJ766 & RRJ769 Each spring the Loggerhead Turtle comes in from the sea to dig her nest in the soft sands on Fripp Island.

After reaching maturity at 25 to 30 years of age female sea turtles return to the beach to nest while male turtles remain offshore.

 

View the pictures from
July 11,2003 when an 
Injured Loggerhead
was rescued and after surgery,
  Rehabilitated and Released
 on November 7,2003
and of a 
 Pilot Whale
that washed up at
North End on 4/04/03,
  Leatherback Tracks 
 from Hunting Island or a
 Leatherback Hatchling
from Folly Beach.

On August 27, 2008, 152 out of 170 loggerhead turtle eggs hatched after 50 days of incubation Testing her endurance and determination she follows her instincts and returns to the sea as her ancestors have before her for millions of years.

This Loggerhead turtle nested on July 9, 2002 and laid 170 eggs.

Check out our Nest Statistics and Pictures from
  2006       2007
  2004       2005
  2003       2002
  2000       2001
and our Photo Galleries from
2006       2007
2004       2005
2003       2002
     2000       2001     
Then view our
Hatchling Video Clip 		Rachel Coulomb pointing out a disoriented hatchling track, Aug. 2005. One of our goals is to encourage the youngsters we meet to take an interest in the natural world that they live in. Some of these youngsters are pictured in our Turtle Kids photo album.
See how
 Nest Temperatures
are affected by rainfall
  Ghost Crab predation
 and hatchling disorientation due to artificial lighting account for almost all of our on beach hatchling losses.
Hatchling disorientation can be minimized by adherence to the Beaufort County Lighting Ordinance and installing Turtle Friendly Lighting  		Two Headed loggerhead turtle hatchling. We experienced several hatchling anomalies in 2005. This one came from our first nest and although it certainly has a split personality it seemed otherwise strong and healthy. It was last seen swimming out to sea but indecisive as to the proper direction to take.

Ghost Crab control has been designated to our official Ghost crab control officer Ollie and his team and by the use of our own homemade ghost crab traps. Follow this link to see how to make a
Fripp Island Ghost Crab Trap

Kathleen Cogland making an entery in our turtle patrol Logbook Our volunteers are dedicated to the preservation of these amazing creatures. They can be seen patrolling the beach each morning from mid May through August. Look for us wearing blue Fripp Island Loggerhead Patrol T-shirts and be sure to say hello and add your comments to our Loggerhead Log Book.

Some Members of The 2008 Turtle Team
Other Turtle Links
7/30/08
How You Can Help
 		 Turtle Project Sponsors
Our Mission 
Statement 		Words of Wisdom
6/6/08		 Sea Water Quality on
Fripp Islands Beaches
Tide Chart for
 Fripp Inlet    		Weather Forecast
for Fripp Island

Marine Conditions 4 miles offshore


  Tour de Turtles.
 Using satellite telemetry, see how long it takes each sea turtle to complete a migration of 2,620 km (1,628 miles).

Please take a moment to send a note to our program coordinator, Janie Lackman
with your comments and questions or just to say Hello.

This Web Site is Created & Maintained by Anthony Natoli & Natweb Design
and Provided to us at no charge  by Internet Services of The Low Country
 Comments and suggestions are always welcome.

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