Pair of green sea turtles to be released Wednesday at Coquina Beach

Green sea turtle undergoing treatment at the STAR Center in July 2021. [photo courtesy N.C. Aquarium on Roanoke Island]

A pair of green sea turtles that have been undergoing treatment at the North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island will be headed back into the ocean on Wednesday morning.

The endangered reptiles have been cleared by the veterinary team at the aquarium’s Sea Turtle Assistance and Rehabilitation Center for release.

Wednesday’s release is scheduled for 8 a.m. at the Coquina Beach Access across from the Bodie Island Lighthouse in cooperation with the Network for Endangered Sea Turtles and Cape Hatteras National Seashore.

If you plan to attend, make sure to arrive early as releases often draw a large crowd. Staff and volunteers from the STAR Center, NEST and the National Park Service will make a short presentation about the turtles prior to release and to answer questions.

Earlier this month, a loggerhead turtle was released following its rehabilitation from cold-stunning suffered last December.