As a native species on Virginia Key, raccoons play an important role within the barrier island's ecosystem. In 2024 however, the data from the MORAES Sea Turtle Nesting Program showed that close to 60% of the endangered loggerhead sea turtle nests on Virginia Key were being interfered with by raccoons. So what do we do?

Together, with our project partners, Turtl Project and Historic Virginia Key Beach Park, and with assistance from Florida Environmental & Wildlife Management Service (FEWMS) and the Miccosukee Indian Reservation, MORAES plans to survey, assess, and analyze the raccoon population on Historic Virginia Key Beach Park to determine what can be done to increase the number of sea turtles reaching our oceans AND ensure all wildlife populations and the ecosystem as a whole is protected.

The goal is to find an ecosystem balance on Virginia Key through proper research and assessment AND without harming ANY species on the island. If raccoon populations prove to exceed that of historical numbers, a percentage of those raccoons will be safely relocated to areas of need within the Miccosukee Indian Reservation located within the Everglades.

All sea turtle work is completed under Permit #: MTP 25-153

Get Involved

So what do we need?

Partners and supporters!

To do a project like this, with the well-being of the animals and ecosystem in mind, can be expensive. So we're looking for partners to help support our sea turtles and Historic Virginia Key ecosystem.

Thank you in advance

for your donation!

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$2,500 - Gold

$5,000 - Platinum

$10,000 - Diamond

So What's the "Nest" Step

"Nest" Steps

With the help of Nicholas Gonzalez of Florida Environmental & Wildlife Management Services (FEWMS), and our project partner Historic Virginia Key Beach Park, MORAES and Turtl Project plan to assess, survey, and analyze raccoon populations on Historic Virginia Key Beach Park. Using the collected data from the surveying portion of the project, which will include wildlife camera deployment and footage analysis, our team will determine if a percentage of raccoons from Historic Virginia Key Beach Park will need to be relocated to alternative wildlife areas here in South Florida, such as the Miccosukee Indian Reservation located within the Everglades.

Areas of preferred relocation will be determined by the Director of Fish & Wildlife at the Miccosukee Indian Reservation based on data collected through the use of an 8-year, continuous trail camera within the Miccosukee Indian Reservation. Footage from the trail camera has confirmed a drastic reduction of raccoon populations, highlighting the need for relocation efforts. Additionally, trail footage was cross referenced with the Indigenous Traditional Ecological Knowledge (ITEK), showing that reintroduction efforts would not only help play a fundamental role within the Everglades ecosystem, but are an encouraged and viable solution.

How it Started

A Native Florida Species:

Raccoons play an important role within the barrier island's ecosystem. As native species and a mesopredator on Virginia Key, there is an expected percentage of predations by raccoons on sea turtle nests and hatchlings in South Florida. Based on the sea turtle data collected by MORAES though, there seems to be an upward trend affecting the nests on the loggerhead sea turtles. This could be a result of anthropogenic impact, reduction of natural predators, increase in raccoon populations, etc.

The Threat to Turtles:

In 2024, the MORAES’ sea turtle nesting program documented the loss of nearly 2,000 eggs and 43 hatchlings due to predation. More than 50% of nests were predated during the 2024 season, including the complete loss of 5 nests within 24 hours of being laid. Currently, the loggerhead sea turtle is listed as an endangered species under the ESA (Endangered Species Act), so it’s vital that predation numbers are assessed thoroughly and remedied if needed.

Sea turtle predation by raccoons can occur at multiple stages during the egg laying and hatching process, and MORAES, along with guidance from Florida Fish & Wildlife Commission (FWC) has been attempting to mitigate these impacts to ensure predation numbers follow historical trends. From data collection and analysis to the implementation of protective metallic screens at confirmed turtle nests, MORAES and its team of dedicated volunteers have tirelessly working to discover a solution that benefits the raccoons, the endangered sea turtles, and the ecosystem on Virginia Key.

As an ongoing research project, MORAES will continue to evaluate this issue. For suggestions, concerns, or comments, please feel free to email us at info@soflomoraes.com.

The Safe Hatch Initiative: Historic Virginia Key Beach Park Sea Turtles

The Safe Hatch Initiative:
Historic Virginia Key Beach Park Sea Turtles