55 Sea Turtle Hatchlings Found Dead On Anna Maria Island

55 newborn turtles die after nearby lights lured them away from ocean water

Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring officials urged everyone on the island to close indoor blinds after dark, eliminate visible exterior lights and report any disoriented hatchlings to a 24-hour hotline

55 Sea Turtle Hatchlings Found Dead On Anna Maria Island

Officials say artificial lights drew dozens of loggerhead hatchlings away from the Gulf and onto a road.

55 loggerhead hatchlings die on Gulf Drive in Bradenton Beach

Members of Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch are urging Bradenton Beach residents to take steps to cut down on light pollution near the beach.

'It's heartbreaking': 55 sea turtle hatchlings found dead on Anna Maria Island

More than 50 baby sea turtles, just hours old, never made it to the Gulf. Instead, artificial light led them straight into danger.