Zoo animals prepare to become travel ambassadors
A group of animals at the Maryland Zoo has recently undergone treatment and care in anticipation of becoming future travel ambassadors. Their role will involve showcasing their natural behaviors while visiting different locations.
This summer, families heading to the beach may encounter some unexpected rules that could dampen children’s plans to dig in the sand. The city of Holmes Beach, Florida, has instituted a regulation stating, “there are no holes in the beach.”
According to Holmes Beach City Commissioner Carol Whitmore, this regulation was introduced to safeguard both beachgoers and local wildlife. “People, they’re on vacation, and sometimes they don’t realize the impact they have,” she reflected. “Unfortunately, we need to think about everyone’s safety.”
The new ordinance specifies that individuals are not allowed to dig holes deeper than a foot in sandy bay beaches, and it also bans the use of metal shovels like gardening tools. However, children are still permitted to use toy shovels. “We’ve almost had incidents where someone falls into a huge hole, and that’s a real safety concern,” Whitmore emphasized.
In 2024, it was reported that a tragic incident occurred where a young girl died when sand collapsed around her in a hole that was nearly six feet deep in Lauderdale. This incident serves as a reminder of the dangers that large holes can present.
The ordinance is also aimed at protecting local wildlife, particularly sea turtles. “Some holes can be three to six feet deep, and if they’re left uncovered, turtles can get trapped and struggle,” Whitmore explained.
A visitor at Manatee Public Beach shared her experience, noting that her daughter enjoys digging in the sand. “We take her here on Sunday afternoons. It’s fun, but we always fill the holes before leaving,” she said, adding that it’s easy to do so and helps keep turtles safe.
The National Ocean Service suggests on its website that beachgoers can enhance the survival chances of sea turtle mothers and their hatchlings by filling in sand holes that are created.
