Sea turtle hatchlings follow the brightest light

This bittersweet story of a romantic marriage proposal with unintended consequences for marine life, is a good illustration of why Paso Pacifico Turtle Rangers have custom-designed red lights on their solar FLAP bags from the Portable Light Project.

A romantic marriage proposal on a Hilton Head Island beach Tuesday night had an unintended consequence -- the death of about 60 federally protected loggerhead sea turtle hatchlings.

A man had placed about 150 luminarias -- bags with a lit candle inside -- in the shape of a heart on the beach near Palmetto Dunes, according to volunteers with the Sea Turtle Project who monitor the nests.

After the proposal, the visiting couple apparently retired to their rental home without extinguishing the lights. An estimated 60 baby sea turtles emerged from a nearby nest a short time later and became disoriented.

Story via Ocean Sentry.