GULF SHORES, Ala. (AP) — Police say a group of Georgia tourists could face federal charges for removing sea turtle eggs on an Alabama beach.
Local news outlets report that the Gulf Shores Police Department said one person from the group confessed to disturbing the nest. Two broken egg shells were recovered nearby.
Police said the case has been forwarded to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Police did not release the names of the individuals.
FOX-10 reports police believe the eggs were already broken open when they were taken. However, it is a federal crime to disturb a nest.
Mike Reynolds of the turtle-protection group Share the Beach tells WKRG-TV that 99 turtles had hatched from the nest.
Police had earlier released a video of a group of people seen near the nest.