Endangered sea turtle run over by vehicle while nesting on Outer Banks, rescuers say

A loggerhead sea turtle was crushed by a recreational vehicle driving on a nesting beach on the Outer Banks, according to the Network for Endangered Sea Turtles in North Carolina.

It happened in the Carova Beach area of the northern Outer Banks, and the turtle did not survive, N.E.S.T reported in a Facebook post.

A search is underway for the driver, officials said.

“In the early morning hours of July 9, a nesting loggerhead sea turtle was struck by a vehicle,” N.E.S.T wrote.

“The injured turtle was located by a law enforcement officer patrolling the 4-wheel-drive beaches in Currituck County. ... While the injured turtle began a delicate transport to the STAR Center at the N.C. Aquarium on Roanoke Island, other N.E.S.T. volunteers discovered the freshly laid nest containing over 100 eggs.”

A photo shows the turtle’s shell was crushed and “the injuries were so severe that she was humanely euthanized.” The nest of eggs was not damaged, officials said.

Details of the location where the turtle was struck were not released, but 4x4 driving is permitted on many of Carova’s beaches. “After dark, the entire beach including parking areas become driving lanes,” according to Currituck County officials.

Drivers are required to have a permit and adhere to a series of guidelines, including a 35-mph speed limit, the county says.

Photos shared by N.E.S.T. show sites of known turtle nests on beaches have been roped off to prevent eggs from being crushed. However, tire tracks show at least one driver nearly ran over one of those nests last week, officials said.

“This tragic (loggerhead death) follows a near miss event on Thursday morning (July 6), where the outer perimeter protecting a nest was run over by a vehicle,” N.E.S.T reported.

“The nest cavity was safe, but N.E.S.T. reminds drivers to use caution on the 4x4 beach at night. Protected nests have perimeters marked with reflective tape. Nesting and hatching season continue through September.”

Investigators are seeking clues on the drivers involved in both incidents via the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Enforcement Hotline at 844-397-8477.

Loggerheads, which can reach 350 pounds, are protected by the Endangered Species Act, with fines of up to $25,000 and “six months imprisonment, or both,” N.E.S.T said.

This story was originally published July 11, 2023 at 7:01 AM with the headline "Endangered sea turtle run over by vehicle while nesting on Outer Banks, rescuers say."