A record-breaking number of turtle nests have been found on Dania Beach this year, and it's only the beginning of turtle hatching season.
More than 200 nests have been found in Dania Beach, more than double the number found last year.
"That doesn't necessarily mean that the sea turtles are out of trouble, you know. You have to look at these trends over a 10-year period," said Carmelo Duesler, of John U. Lloyd State Park.
Every day, Duesler and his team hit the beach, looking for nests. Their goal is to give each baby turtle the chance to survive.
They shield the nests with a cage-like covering and wooden planks in the hope of keeping predators, such as raccoons, away.
Duesler's team regularly goes out to examine the protected nests and find any wayward baby turtles that have not made it to the water, and release them into the ocean.
"Fortunately for these turtles, they're given a head start," Duesler said.
The hatchling rate per nest is high this year. More than 90 percent of the eggs that have been found were hatched.
A group of baby sea turtles hatched during the July 4 celebration on Miami Beach, much to the spectators' surprise. Click here for more information.
