Sarasota policeman Derek Conley was on patrol at 1 a.m. last Saturday when he found turtle hatchlings in a hotel parking lot. He and passers-by gathered them into a box and then released them into the water. The officer was forced to stop traffic several times in order to do so and he estimates that some 90-100 turtles were saved.

He also called two local marine rescue groups for advice and support. Turtles in Florida are protected by the federal Endangered Species Act and the Florida Marine Protection Act. (Image by Sarasota police)