These photos make me want to cry.

[joeybee12]

Two of the 29 sea turtles that washed up dead on the Mississippi Gulf Coast...no indication of oil on them, but odds are they ate fish that had been contaminated by the oil.

[WeDidIt]

1. A fond memory of a vacation at the gulf

was of the protected nesting spots for these creatures.

:cry:

[QC]

3. This is their nesting season, so there is the possibility of

the eggs being contaminated and killed.

The experts are saying that this breeding season could be a near total loss.

[jdlh8894]

9. Not worried until

nothing comes out @ the end of August first of Sept. THEN I WILL BE P*SSED!!!!!!!

[no_hypocrisy]

2. I dare anyone NOT to look. Look hard. Burn this into your memory.

[jdlh8894]

7. I looked

this is a everyday occurrence this time of year.People think that they're dead. They are making their nests.Notice the stake in one picture? That is there so DNS can cordon it off and keep watch on the eggs that are going to be buried(appox. 120)

[joeybee12]

11. No, these are dead...read...

GULFPORT, Miss. (AP) -- At least 20 sea turtles have been found dead this weekend along a 30-mile stretch of Mississippi beaches from Biloxi to Bay St. Louis.

While wildlife officials can't say with certainty the turtles, some endangered, died as a result of the oil spill, the number concerns them.

Moby Solangi, director of the Institute for Marine Mammal Studies in Gulfport, Miss., said Sunday this is typically the time of year when turtles wash up on shore.

Solangi says even though no oil appears to be on the turtles, they may still have been sickened by consuming oil-coated fish. He says that won't be clear until necropsies are performed on Monday.

Some of the dead reptiles are endangered Kemps ridley turtles.

[Echo In Light]

4. K/R

[Kadie]

5. .

:cry:

[Arctic Dave]

6. Could it have bben the dispersent?

Not trying to jump to conclusions, but is their any documentation of its effect on sea animals?

[rudy23]

8. I wonder what reaction we'd have if we saw the 11 humans who died--not to be too morbid

But what actions would we be motivated to take if we saw the physical human toll of deregulated industry?

[Shell Beau]

10. As if these turtles don't have it hard enough already.

x( :cry:

[jdlh8894]

12. Agreed

Have seen too many hatchings barely make it!

[Shell Beau]

13. Most don't.

[jdlh8894]

14. one of the best things to experience!!!! eom