The Outer Banks Voice - NEST reports a dead leatherback turtle has been stranded in Corolla

By means of Outer Banks Voice on November 4, 2024

Dead Leatherback stranded in Corolla four-wheel drive area. (Photo: NEST (Endangered Sea Turtle Network))

This Leatherback was tagged by NOAA in Massachusetts in late summer 2023. (Credit: NEST (Network for Endangered Sea Turtles)

Around noon on Monday, November 4, NEST (Network for Endangered Sea Turtles) posted this announcement.

As you know, part of NEST’s work is responding to sea turtles stranded on shore, some of which are still alive, but some of which are dead. If they are still alive and need help, they are usually taken to the NC Aquarium at Roanoke Island STAR Center. When they are dead, NEST volunteers still make a report on them (including size, condition and beach location), adding to our ongoing collection of sea turtle information.

Recently there was a dead Leatherback stranded in the Corolla four-wheel drive area. Leatherback turtles (the largest species of sea turtle and the only species that does not have a hard shell) prefer deep water and are not common on the OBX. It turns out that this Leatherback was tagged by NOAA in Massachusetts in late summer 2023. You can see from the track below that this sea turtle went on quite a journey until the tracking device stopped transmitting in March of this year.

Remember, when you visit the beach, never go near a sea turtle or shine a light on it at night.

And remember, if you are in the northern Outer Banks and accidentally hook a sea turtle, see a sea turtle on the beach, or find tracks in the sand, call the NEST HOTLINE IMMEDIATELY: 252-441-8622.

To learn more about NEST (Network for Endangered Sea Turtles) or to donate, visit them websiteand follow them further Facebook.

PUBLIC NOTICE

Former Buxton naval facility

Formerly used defense site

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) will host a presentation to provide an update on the ongoing response effort and present information on a restoration advisory board. The presentation will be followed by an open house session.

The site of the Buxton Naval Facility Formerly Used Defense Sites (FUDS) was used by the US Navy as a submarine monitoring station. The U.S. Coast Guard then used the property until it was returned to the National Park Service. USACE is conducting a response effort to remove visible petroleum-affected soil and take confirmatory soil samples in areas along the beach and dunes that exhibit odors and sheens.

Subsequent actions will include extensive sampling of soil and groundwater within the project area to identify the nature and extent of petroleum contamination.

USACE will continue the meeting November 4, 2024, from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM at the Fessenden Center at 46830 NC Highway 12, Buxton, NC 27920.

For more information, please visit the project website: Buxton Naval Facility (army.mil)or email [email protected].