KURE BEACH, N.C.-- Crowds of coastal turtle fans cheered as a 120-pound loggerhead sea turtle flapped its fins back into the ocean.

  • Rehabilitated cold-stunned turtle at the state recreation area
  • Turtle came to the aquarium back in January from the Outer Banks
  • Staff members with aquarium want to remind beach-goers that it is nesting season for sea turtles

Staff members with North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher released the rehabilitated cold-stunned turtle at the state recreation area.

The turtle came to the aquarium back in January from the Outer Banks, and staff say they spent the last few months nursing the large reptile back to health so it could go home. 

"And some of our biggest concerns with it was the fact that it was skinny and lethargic, actually it was a little bit anemic," said North Carolina Aquarium curator Julie Johnson.

Staff members with aquarium want to remind beach-goers that it is nesting season for sea turtles. 

They say if you see eggs do not touch them and be careful about digging huge holes into the sand because sometimes turtles can get stuck.

 

Get the latest news, sports and weather delivered straight to your inbox. Click here to sign up for email and text alerts.