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W Fort Lauderdale saves turtles from suicide
The W Fort Lauderdale had a little problem -- turtles kept crossing the road in front of their hotel. To get to the other side. And getting hit by cars on the way.The issue was the hotel lights. Apparently, when choosing between their current side of the road and the certain death of crossing the street, turtles have a habit of "going towards the light." What this says about the psychological situation of turtles is beyond our realm of expertise, but we do know what The W did to stop turtles from killing themselves just to visit their hotel.
We want to take a moment to add that the internationally protected loggerhead sea turtles (once aggressively hunted for their meat, eggs, fat and shells) are actually an attraction of this Florida area. It's only a short drive from Fort Lauderdale to Dania Beach where you can walk the sands at sunset and watch the loggerheads (pictured) in action -- and even take a look at their nests, a great activity for couples and families. Remember the turtles in "Finding Nemo"? Those were loggerheads. As Crush said to Marlin: "Oh, it's awesome, Jellyman. The little dudes are just eggs, we leave 'em on a beach to hatch, and then, coo-coo-cachoo, they find their way back to the big ol' blue." Well, many turtles think it's a good idea to cross the street to make a nest for their eggs. And if they do happen to make it, and those eggs hatch? Baby turtle road-carnage.
I know, it's not nice to think about.
Anyway, according to Tonic.com, The W Hotel, "with the blessings of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission," installed "long wavelength lighting" pointed toward the ground. "The hotel is able to keep everything bright enough for evening swims and dinner outdoors without luring in one gatecrashing turtle."
The hotel also features energy efficient LED lighting, carpets made with sustainable materials, and even bamboo flooring in some rooms. Not too shabby. We commend W for their creativity and for helping save the turtles!
[via Tonic]
Filed under: Hotels and Accommodations
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
kgseymour09 Aug 4th 2009 11:54AM
Coolest. Story. Ever. I know where I'll stay next time I'm heading south!
Willy Aug 4th 2009 12:29PM
Everyone in coastal Florida knows not to shine lights on or near the beach during turtle-nesting season -- and homeowners can be penalized for violating regulations concerning lights in known turtle habitats.
Sorry, but not only do I not commend W, I think it's wrong that they weren't forced to install proper lighting from the beginning.
Annie Scott Aug 4th 2009 12:38PM
Wow, I had no idea about that! Thanks for letting me know, Willy.
Another FL hotel saw the story on Twitter and RT'd, saying "That's so cool!" -- Maybe we need a movement to get all hotels in the area to comply.
Annie Scott Aug 4th 2009 12:50PM
I found some info on fishing restrictions implemented in April, but nothing about lighting restrictions:
http://www.defenders.org/newsroom/press_releases_folder/2009/04_29_2009_emergency_action_will_help_threatened_and_endangered_sea_turtles.php?ht=
For readers seeking more information on how to keep turtles safe from artificial lighting, try these links:
http://myfwc.com/CONSERVATION/Conservation_LivingWith_WildlifeLighting_index.htm
http://www.fpl.com/environment/endangered/sea_turtles_and_lights.shtml
Joe Aug 4th 2009 3:34PM
Actually there is a lighting restriction. It falls under the Florida Beach and Shore preservation act. Basically all lights have to be dimmed or changed to lower power from March to October for turtle hatching. Being a Florida native, I was never really sure if this was a rule or a suggestion. Trying to read the legislation. I still can't tell if it's a rule or suggestion. It is a rule for gov't funded projects though.
Willy Aug 5th 2009 1:29PM
For example, Hillsboro has regulations for this: http://townofhillsborobeach.com/index.php?sec=44
As Joe mentioned, most cities only set forth guidelines and don't enforce this. As long as tourism remains Florida's biggest driver, and as long as turtles are at risk, any commercial entity should be responsible for (at a minimum) following the guidelines.
rebecca Aug 6th 2009 11:37AM
To clarify a few things:
New hotels DO have to comply with the regulations set by the state. These regulations are supposed to be enforce by the City but rarely are. I've been battling witht the City to change this. If anyone is interested, please join. The group is called "City fo Fort Lauderdale Responsible for Sea Turtle Deaths." There are over 200 members since I created it on Tuesday Aug.2nd
Also, loggerheads weren't really hunted for their meat...green turtles were, to the point of functional extinction. They're numbers have come back up thanks to one man who brought a few up from Costa Rica and started their population up again here in FL.
The turtle in Nemo was not any specific kind of turtle, but it was most likely a green.
Mama sea turtles do NOT go towards a bright light to find a place to lay their eggs but look for the bright light to return to the ocean b/c for millions of yeas the brightest light WAS the ocean. The hatchling turtles do the same thing. That's not beyond any realm of expertise. You can find it on any sea turtle website.
You do not have to go to Dania to see turtles come up. They come up to Ft. Lauderdale too but not as much and the number one reason is the lighting. Because the City is so negligent (more so than most cities and municipalities down here), we just assume it's due to their patterns, not ours.
Im loving that everyone is getting interested in this issue, like all that replied to this thread initially. Good for you. Spread the word. Join the group if you'd like and invite all your friends. Im hoping it will sway the City to act.
Whoever wrote this article, my colleagues and I work with sea turtles everyday and we laughed at the erroneousness of the "facts". Not only is it full of fallacies but it pats a hotel on the back b/c they are doing what is required by law. This is why the public is not well-informed on this stuff. No one does their research.
rebecca Aug 6th 2009 11:39AM
Sorry, by the way, that group I mentioned is on Facebook.
Woody McLane Aug 14th 2009 10:09PM
I have never used a blog before so please pardon me if I am doing this the wrong way---How can I find out if the general public is able to watch the baby turtles hatch on the Fort Lauderdale beach? Can you or someone please call me at 954-801-1247 or email me at wpmclane@aol.com ?
Thank you in advance
Woody McLane
rebecca Aug 15th 2009 10:03AM
Woody,
There are a few places to watch baby sea turtles being released into the ocean. The first one is Gumbo Limbo nature center in Boca Raton. They sell tickets but are all sold out for the season, as is Haulover Beach in Miami. Ann Kolb Nature Center also does them but in Hollywood. You have to have a permit to do it so only a few places around are actually allowed to host them. You won't actually see them hatch out as it is very hard to determine exactly when it's going to happen. If you're a resident of South Florida, you can become a member of Gumbo Limbo and get first dibs at the tickets next summer. They sell out in a couple days. You can always go out yourself and hope for the best but I know there are people who patrol that beach to make sure no one is harassing the turtles and that they dont get disoriented. Good Luck. I hope this helps.