It’s nighttime on Florida’s east coast. A crescent moon casts soft light on the beach. Suddenly, a domed shape emerges from the surf—a loggerhead sea turtle. She methodically digs her nest and lays around 120 eggs. These will hatch in two months; one day, the females will return to this beach. It’s biology—and a bit of Disney magic.
While familiar to Florida locals, loggerhead sea turtles face significant global threats. Florida’s beaches are home to 40% of the world’s loggerhead population. That makes every nest critically important. Around the world, loggerhead populations are in steep decline due to climate change, fisheries bycatch, and habitat loss.
Disney Sea Turtle Conservation at Vero Beach
Disney sea turtle conservation teams have protected turtles for two decades through daily monitoring and research. At Disney’s Vero Beach Resort, Cast Members and researchers have logged over 19,000 hours of monitoring across a 5-mile stretch of beach. Since the program’s launch, more than 20,000 nests and 1.5 million hatchlings have been recorded.
Through partnerships, Disney also supports conservation around the world. The Disney Conservation Fund backs solar-powered fishing net technology from Arizona State University. In collaboration with The Oceanic Society, Team BEACH empowers global communities to protect sea turtles.
The Future of Turtle Conservation
Despite success with green sea turtles, loggerheads remain at risk. That’s why the Disney team shows up every day during turtle nesting season. Conservation isn’t just about science—it’s about long-term commitment and optimism.
This mission is at the heart of Disney Planet Possible, and it continues with support from shows like Magic of Disney’s Animal Kingdom, now streaming on Disney+.
All conservation activity described is conducted under Marine Turtle Permits 260 and 071.
