More than 25,000 sea turtle hatchlings made it into the Atlantic at Cape Hatteras National Seashore this year/NPS file
More than 25,000 sea turtle hatchlings made it from their mothers' nests to the Atlantic Ocean at Cape Hatteras National Seashore this year.
Outerbanks Forever, which raises funds through its "Adopt A Sea Turtle Nest" program to protect and enhance the seashore, brought in nearly $29,000 through the program this year.
"Sea turtles are some of our favorite visitors here in the Outer Banks," said Jessica Barnes, the nonprofit oganization's executive director. "We’re so grateful to our national park staff who help protect the sea turtles, their nests and the habitat they need to thrive. Each donor who adopts a nest on the Seashore helps us invest in protecting and enhancing this amazing place."
According to the group, more than 370 sea turtles nested on the national seashore this year, with most [259] on Hatteras Island. Eighty-six percent of the nests were from Loggerhead sea turtles, with 50 laid by Green sea turtles, three by Kemp's ridley turtles, and one by a Leatherback turtle. While 39,085 eggs were counted by seashore staff, 25,319 hatchlings made it into the surf.
