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Sea Turtles Set Nesting Record At Cape Hatteras National Seashore

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Published Date

July 17, 2019
Green sea turtle at Cape Hatteras National Seashore/NPS

Green sea turtle at Cape Hatteras National Seashore/NPS

More than 300 sea turtles have come ashore to nest this year at Cape Hatteras National Seashore on North Carolina's Outer Banks, a record that could continue to grow with more than a month left in the nesting season.

Back in 2015 the old record was set with 289 nests, but since then the turtles have been coming to shore in waves. The 326 nests counted through Monday surpasses by one the turtle nests found in 2016. 

Sea turtle nest numbers (as of July 16 at 12 p.m.):

  • Loggerhead sea turtle: 317
  • Green sea turtle: 11
  • Kemp’s Ridley sea turtle: 1 

"We are encouraged by the increasing numbers of sea turtles using Cape Hatteras National Seashore beaches to nest,” said Tracy Ziegler, chief of resource management and science, National Parks of Eastern North Carolina. “According to our estimates, almost 11,000 sea turtle eggs have been deposited in beaches on Bodie, Hatteras, and Ocracoke islands.”

Visitors are cautioned to be aware of sea turtle nesting activity, or hatchlings. If you see turtle tracks, nesting activity, or hatchlings, notify park biologists by calling the stranding hotline at 252-216-6892.

The majority of current sea turtle nests aren’t expected to impact recreational access along the seashore. 

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