Wildlife officials are searching for the driver who struck and fatally injured a sea turtle that had just dug a nest on the northern Outer Banks.
Deputies on patrol along the four-wheel drive beach in Carova received a call about an injured turtle and discovered the loggerhead early Sunday morning. She was taken to the STAR Center sea turtle hospital at the N.C. Aquarium on Roanoke Island, but the crush injuries to her shell were so severe, she had to be euthanized, the Network for Endangered Sea Turtles said in a news release.
NEST volunteers on the scene were able to find her freshly-dug nest and protect more than 100 incubating eggs.
The loggerhead’s death followed a near-miss on Thursday night, where the marked outer perimeter protecting a turtle nest was run over by a vehicle, also in Carova, the release said. The nest itself was safe.
Outer Banks sea turtle nesting season runs from May through September, with turtles returning year after year to lay their eggs by digging nests into the sand. About two months later, the tiny turtles hatch out, scatter across the beach and head to the ocean.
Five species of turtles are found along the Outer Banks, with the most common being the loggerhead and green turtle. Leatherbacks, hawksbill and Kemp’s ridleys also make appearances.
So far this year, NEST has discovered 16 turtle nests on the beaches from Duck to Nags Head. Last year, there were 47 sea turtle nests, with 2,500 hatchlings making it to the ocean, according to NEST records.
“N.E.S.T. reminds drivers to use caution on the 4×4 beach at night. Protected nests have perimeters marked with reflective tape,” the release said. “Please follow the posted speed limits, scan the beach carefully in front of your vehicle, and give wildlife space.”
Sea turtles are protected by the Endangered Species Act and punishments for destruction of nests or sea turtles include fines up to $25,000 and six months in jail.
Anyone with information about either incident in Carova is asked to call the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service hotline at 844-397-8477.
By following a few guidelines, people can help protect endangered sea turtles as they nest this summer. Here are some tips from the N.C. Wildlife Commission:
- Because sea turtles nest mostly at night, beachfront property owners and those renting beachfront property are encouraged to turn off their outdoor lights and close their blinds/draperies after dark. Or, in lieu of turning off the lights, they can redirect lights so they are not visible on the beach.
- People on the beach after dark should refrain from using flashlights or cellphones. Bright, artificial light can deter females from coming on to shore to nest and can disorient sea turtle hatchlings, causing them to wander inland, where they often die of dehydration or predation.
- Beachgoers should remove beach equipment, such as lounge chairs, umbrellas, tents and other items from the beach when they leave. If left on the beach these items can prevent nesting attempts and prevent hatchlings from reaching the ocean. In fact, in many coastal towns, it is illegal to keep these items on the beach after dark.
Kari Pugh, [email protected]
