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Season's first Outer Banks sea turtle nest discovered; rehabbed sea turtles released in ocean at NC island

SUNSET BEACH, N.C. (WNCN) — As the weather keeps warming and summer approaches on the North Carolina coast, ocean animals are becoming active. The first turtle nest was discovered, buried in beach sand at the Outer Banks this week. Meanwhile, three rehabilitated sea turtles were successfully released back into the ocean at Sunset Beach, an island in Brunswick County near the South Carolina border. The first sea turtle nest was found at the Cape Lookout National Seashore, National Park Service officials announced Friday. Nests typically contain between 80 and 150 sea turtle eggs from one of four different sea turtle species at Cape Lookout: loggerheads, Kemp's Ridley sea turtles, Green sea turtles, and Leatherbacks. PREVIOUS: Sea turtle nests at NC coast on track so far this season Crews at the Outer Banks mark nesting sites with PVC pipes topped with bright tape — so no one will accidentally damage or walk on nests. Plastic screens are also put over nests to prevent predators from digging up the eggs. At Cape Hatteras National Seashore, crews discover and protect nearly 400 sea turtle nests each season. Also this month, crews at Sunset Beach released two Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtles and one Green sea turtle — both are endangered species. NEWS: 3rd gator in weeks at NC coast startles Sunset Beach homeowner The turtles released May 2 were originally rescued in Dare County during a December 2024, 'cold-stunning' event, according to a Sunset Beach Police Department news release. After initial triage at the Sea Turtle Assistance and Rehabilitation Center at the N.C. Aquarium on Roanoke Island, they were transferred to the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences for full rehabilitation. There were five turtles in total, with the first two released earlier from a boat due to timing and weather conditions, according to the Sunset Beach police. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.