COLLIER COUNTY, Fla. — According to an environmental specialist in Collier County, this could be a record breaking hatching year for sea turtles in Collier County.
As Tropical Storm Dorian approaches Florida, Maura Kraus, the Principal Environmental Specialist for Collier County Parks and Recreation, says she's worried about high tides and big waves affecting the nests.
"The eggs in the nest are incubating, they're porous, they have to breathe," Kraus said. "They could become trapped or die in the nest."
Kraus said there have been 1,722 nests on Collier County beaches so far this season, which is about 200 more than last year. More than half of those nests have already hatched.
She said storms like Dorian are always a concern, especially after Hurricane Irma wiped out every single turtle nest in Collier County.
"It was heartbreaking," Kraus said.
The Conservancy of Southwest Florida said event though we can't control the weather, there are simple things we can do to help protect these animals.
"Making sure that you're not disrupting the nests or going near or approaching any nests that you might see marked," Katie Ferron, Community Engagement Coordinator, said.
