Baby sea turtles, or “hatchlings,” are amazing little animals. From the moment they leave their nests, these independent babies live on their own. But sometimes, even the most self-sufficient animals need a helping hand — like recently, when a tourist in Florida found over 60 loggerhead hatchlings aimlessly wandering in high grasses over 100 feet from their ocean home.
The Turtle Hospital
The woman contacted The Turtle Hospital‘s 24-hour stranding hotline and told them the news. A group of rescuers soon arrived, collected the turtles, placed them in a bucket and brought them back to the rescue center.
The Turtle Hospital
Though hatchlings are self-reliant, they often forage for food together in groups, which is what these babies were likely doing when they succumbed to a dangerous phenomenon known as “lighting disorientation.” According to The Turtle Hospital, lighting disorientation occurs when turtles mistake artificial light for the light of the night sky. Following this unnatural light, the turtles are lured away from the ocean into more dangerous areas near the coast.
Luckily, the experienced rescue team was ready to help these babies recover. They weighed each turtle, gave them physical exams, rinsed the sand from their eyes, provided fluids and then placed them in a tank for a swim test.
Eventually, the rescuers brought 61 babies back to the ocean and released them into the waves. A few hatchlings are still recuperating at the hospital, where they’ll remain until they’re strong enough to go home.
The Turtle Hospital
Hospital team members hope this story encourages community members to look out for these beloved animals.
“All species of sea turtles in and around the USA are threatened or endangered, meaning they are at risk of becoming extinct in our lifetime,” The Turtle Hospital general manager Bette Zirkelbach told The Dodo. “Keeping lights off at night on our coastlines during sea turtle nesting season is critical to their survival.”
If everyone does their part, babies like these won’t be fooled — they’ll stay safe in the ocean, where they belong.
To help other turtles like these, you can make a donation to The Turtle Hospital. To keep up with these amazing rescues, you can follow The Turtle Hospital on Instagram and Facebook, and you can follow Bette Zirkelbach on Instagram and Facebook as well. 
Diver Sees Enormous Turtle Lying On Sea Floor — And Realizes He Needs Help