Lido Beach Turtle Rescue

Sea turtle hatchlings heading the wrong way were rescued near the Lido Beach Resort.

Not only do our officers serve and protect the humans of the City of Sarasota but they also serve and protect our aquatic life.

Over the weekend, while Officer Derek Conley was on patrol, he stopped at the Lido Beach Resort, 700 Ben Franklin Drive, Sarasota (about one-and a half miles south of our beach).  As he was leaving, Officer Conley saw sea turtle hatchlings crawling towards the front door.  Someone checking into the resort told him there were more turtles in the parking lot of the hotel.

Several people checking into the resort helped Officer Conley grab a box and collect the hatchlings from the parking lot.  It was at that time, even more turtles were found on the sidewalk and in the middle of Ben Franklin Drive.  Officer Conley stopped traffic several times to rescue the turtles from the street.

After gathering close to 70 hatchlings, Officer Conley and the resort guests took the turtles to the beach and released them successfully in the water.  Upon returning to the resort, more turtles were seen in the parking lot area.  The guests and Officer Conley again collected the turtles and made another trip to the beach to successfully release them.

Approximately 90 to 100 hatchlings were recovered and released successfully into the water.  Officer Conley did see three dead hatchlings.  Officer Conley called Turtle Watch and provided them with the case number and details of what happened.  He also reached out to Mote Marine.

From May 1 – October 31, sea turtles nest on our area beaches.  If you find disoriented sea turtles, call law enforcement right away.