Holden Beach police are investigating the vandalism of a loggerhead sea turtle nest, a crime the maximum penalty of which includes a fine of up to $50,000 and possible jail time.
A stranding team with the Holden Beach Turtle Watch Program’s turtle patrol has confirmed that, despite evidence that vandals dug into the nest area looking for eggs, all of the eggs are safe.
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Nest 75 in the 200 block of Ocean Boulevard West was vandalized sometime after 8 p.m. on Friday, according to a Holden Beach Turtle Watch Program release.
Members of the patrol Saturday morning discovered that a protective fox grate, cage, signage and stakes used to tape off the area around the nest had been completely torn from the top of the nest.
After eggs in the nest were confirmed safe, members of the patrol reinstalled the protection equipment.
“This nest will be the last sea turtle nest to hatch on Holden Beach this season, and the Turtle Patrol is looking forward to celebrating the hatching of its last nest and the close of sea turtle nesting season,” the release states. “Members are relieved that the hatchlings were not poached or destroyed.”
Loggerheads are one of six sea turtle species that are designated as threated or endangered under the Endangered Species Act. Under both federal and state law, penalties may be assessed for disturbing sea turtle nests and taking, harassing, or harming sea turtles.
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Anyone with information about the vandalism may contact the Holden Beach Police Department at 910-842-6707.
