News Summary
The arrival of summer has sparked nesting activity among sea turtles on the North Carolina coast, with the first nest discovered at Cape Lookout National Seashore. These nests, which can hold between 80 and 150 eggs from various species, are carefully marked to ensure protection from beachgoers and wildlife. Additionally, several rehabilitated turtles have been released into the ocean, highlighting ongoing conservation efforts. However, the season is marred by challenges, including the discovery of dead turtles linked to environmental conditions.
North Carolina – The beginning of summer has ushered in activity among sea turtles along the North Carolina coast, with the discovery of the first turtle nest of the season on the Outer Banks. This significant event marks the annual nesting period for these marine reptiles, which begins in May and can extend through August.
This year’s first sea turtle nest was located at Cape Lookout National Seashore, as confirmed by the National Park Service. Sea turtle nests typically contain between 80 to 150 eggs from four primary species: loggerheads, Kemp’s Ridley, Green, and Leatherbacks. The nests are meticulously marked with PVC pipes topped with bright tape to prevent accidental damage from beachgoers and wildlife.
To further protect these nests from potential predators, plastic screens are placed over them. Cape Hatteras National Seashore is known for its diligent conservation efforts, safeguarding nearly 400 sea turtle nests each season, with monitoring and protection measures in place to support the survival of hatchlings once they are born.
In addition to nesting activity, three rehabilitated sea turtles were recently released back into the ocean at Sunset Beach in Brunswick County. This event occurred on May 2, with two Kemp’s Ridley sea turtles and one Green sea turtle successfully returning to their natural habitat. These turtles had been rescued during a cold-stunning incident in December 2024 in Dare County, where they experienced hypothermia due to exposure to cold waters resulting from severe weather.
After their initial care at the Sea Turtle Assistance and Rehabilitation Center, the turtles were later transferred to the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences for further rehabilitation before their release. A total of five turtles were rescued, with two having been released earlier due to favorable conditions.
While the excitement surrounding the nesting and rehabilitation of sea turtles is substantial, the season is not without its challenges. A troubling discovery was made when a 40-pound olive ridley sea turtle was found deceased on Sunset Beach near Fort Stevens State Park. The Seaside Aquarium indicated that such strandings are often linked to storms impacting warm water currents along the coast, affecting sea turtle populations.
Sea turtles are at risk of becoming hypothermic when trapped in cooler waters following the dissipation of warmth. Symptoms of hypothermia in sea turtles can complicate assessments of their condition, making it difficult to determine if a washed ashore turtle is alive. Signs to look for include unresponsiveness and a weak heartbeat, which necessitate immediate intervention.
Given the challenges of cold water events, surviving sea turtles discovered on the Oregon and Washington coasts are directed to rehabilitation facilities for care and recovery before being considered for re-release into the wild. The Oregon Coast Aquarium and Seattle Aquarium are recognized as licensed rehabilitation centers dedicated to the recovery of sea turtles.
The increase in sea turtle activity along the North Carolina coast serves as a reminder of the importance of ongoing conservation efforts aimed at safeguarding these magnificent creatures during their nesting season and throughout their lives in the ocean.
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Additional Resources
- MSN News: Outer Banks Sea Turtle Nest
- Wikipedia: Sea Turtle
- Central Oregon Daily: Dead Sea Turtle
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Sea Turtle
- KOIN: Dead Sea Turtle on Oregon Coast
- Google Search: Sea Turtle Conservation
- Oregon Live: Sea Turtle Found Dead
- Google News: Sea Turtle News
