04/14/2026
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We are very excited to announce that we will be hosting a public sea turtle release on Tuesday, April 14th, at the 49th East Beach Access! Our friends from The National Aquarium in Maryland will be driving down that morning, with an ESTIMATED time for release between 2:30 - 3:30 pm, depending on traffic and travel! We will make updates on our page for any changes to arrival or delays.
There are 16 Greens and 13 Kemp’s Ridleys being released. These turtles, stranded as ‘cold-stunned’ turtles along the Massachusetts coast, have been in rehabilitation since November/December of last year. ‘Cold stunning’ is the sea turtle equivalent of hypothermia. Their body systems begin to slowly shut down, and their immune system becomes suppressed, which can cause secondary infections and long-term health concerns, such as pneumonia and osteomyelitis. 39 turtles were rehabilitated at the National Aquarium and were named after Baltimore City Neighborhoods! They are releasing the turtles here on Oak Island due to warmer water temperatures.
Please come and join us as we help send the turtles back to the ocean! Please remember we have paid parking on Oak Island, and please be respectful of our barriers and support helpers!
We hope to see you there!
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**This conservation work for protected sea turtles on Oak Island is authorized by the NC Wildlife Resources Commission (ES Permit 26STO1)**
