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Gulf Power Adjusts Streetlight After Turtle Death

Photo via Flickr//Florida Fish And Wildlife Commission

Gulf Power is adjusting some street lights after the death of a nesting loggerhead turtle on Perdido Key last week. The turtle had crawled across the beach and onto Perdido Key Drive where it was struck and killed by a vehicle. Officials speculate that it was attracted and confusing by a street light on the road. Jeff Rogers,a spokesman for Gulf Power, says the lights on Perdido Key drive are "full cut-off" lights that are designed to limit sea turtle confusion. They focus a narrow beam of light down on the road to prevent a lot of light being shown out to the Gulf.  Since last week's accident, that particular street light on Perdido Key Drive has been adjusted to include a shield. Rogers says imagine that flashlight with your hand cupping the front.

To date that is the only light that has been equipped with the shield. Rogers says that Gulf Power is consulting with the county and the Fish and Wildlife Commission to identify other locations that may have street lights that need to be adjusted.

Bob Barrett has been a radio broadcaster since the mid 1970s and has worked at stations from northern New York to south Florida and, oddly, has been able to make a living that way. He began work in public radio in 2001. Over the years he has produced nationally syndicated programs such as The Environment Show and The Health Show for Northeast Public Radio's National Productions.