Leatherback turtle nest behind Breakers unharmed by ATV, state agency says

Margie Kacoha

During a beach walk Wednesday morning, John Fletemeyer noticed what he thought was a damaged leatherback turtle nest.

The town's former lifeguard supervisor, who started Palm Beach's sea turtle protection program more than 20 years ago, noticed all-terrain vehicle tracks behind The Breakers' Beach Club.

Fearing the tires crossed the nest, Fletemeyer contacted authorities, who checked. The good news: neither the nest nor any of the endangered hatchlings had been harmed.

Meghan Koperski, environmental specialist with Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission sea turtle program in Tequesta, said the ATV "passed about 5 feet east of the nest."

The nest was checked at daybreak — about 6:30 a.m. Fletemeyer said he saw it about 8:30 a.m. Assuming the ATV tires ran over the nest site, he became concerned about any turtles in the nest.

He said he counted almost two dozen hatchling tracks. A nest that was run over and compacted wouldn't allow remaining turtles to emerge, he said.

Koperski said the baby turtles generally hatch over several nights. The presence of a relatively small number of tracks indicate the likelihood more hatchlings would emerge during the coming nights.

No precise number of hatchlings in a leatherback nest exists, Koperski added. The best estimate puts the number of leatherback eggs at about 60-150 per nest.

Koperski said Breakers' employees were reminded Wednesday about taking care near sea turtle nests.

Sea turtles are under state and federal protection. Nesting season is March 1 to Oct. 31.

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Source: http://www.palmbeachdailynews.com/news/content/news/2009/08/12/nest0813.html

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