NORTH CAROLINA, USA — The first sea turtle nest of the season at Cape Hatteras National Seashore was found Saturday, officials said in a social media post.
According to the post, park biologists located the loggerhead sea turtle nest near Frisco, North Carolina, at the southern end of Hatteras Island. A photo from the National Park Service shows a resource protection area installed around the nest.
The discovery comes after a busy nesting season in 2023 with 380 total nests, officials said. It was the second highest-recorded nesting year after 2019, which saw 473 nests in total.
In line with the Endangered Species Act, seashore officials work to protect sea turtles, which are vulnerable to human activities such as the loss of habitat, boat strikes, and pollution.
Because sea turtles can become disoriented or stressed, the seashore strongly advises people to keep their distance by at least 30 feet. People who see a turtle should call 252-216-6892.
