Meet the Pool Boys
Clearwater Marine Aquarium is currently rehabilitating several baby loggerhead sea turtles. A number of these hatchlings, nicknamed “The Pool Boys,” were recently rescued after being discovered inside a swimming pool filter in Indian Shores, Florida. The baby sea turtles are recovering well, however given their fragile state they are still in critical condition.
Family Helps Save Sea Turtles
The rescued hatchlings were found in the swimming pool by a family visiting the area on vacation from Iowa. They rented a house by the beach in Indian Shores and were enjoying the swimming pool when they noticed one of the tiny sea turtles floating near them. Then they found a few more trapped in the pool filter.
The family removed the baby turtles from the pool and checked the nearby beach to see if there was any trace of where they came from. Loggerhead sea turtles nest on Gulf Coast Beaches from May to October and the hatchlings can often become disoriented after leaving their nest. Lighting from beachfront properties and streets can turn them in the wrong direction when they are naturally drawn toward the light from the moon’s reflection on the water.
Learn how to use sea turtle-friendly lighting near nesting beaches.
After removing the baby turtles from the pool and seeing that many of them appeared lethargic and weak, they called the Clearwater Marine Aquarium Rescue Hotline for instructions on what to do with them. The family had previously visited the rescue center during a visit to Clearwater and learned about our mission to rescue, rehab and release marine life, so they knew to contact CMA for help. The CMA Rescue Team arrived and transported the hatchlings back to the animal hospital for treatment. The family was very excited to find them in time and be part of their rescue!
You can visit these adorable baby sea turtles while they recover at Clearwater Marine Aquarium or watch them on the live baby sea turtle webcam!
We hope to see these baby sea turtles out in the Gulf when they are ready and cleared for release by CMA veterinarians and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC).
All marine turtle footage taken in Florida was obtained with the approval of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) under conditions not harmful to marine turtles. Footage was acquired while conducting authorized conservation activities pursuant to FWC MTP-18-172.