North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island has concluded a “record-breaking” cold-stunning season and will recognize the endangered animal Monday, June 16, for both World Sea Turtle Day and its rehabilitation center’s 11th anniversary.
endangered species
Wildlife agency releases draft species management plan
Public comments will be accepted through July 5 to the draft update of the North Carolina State Wildlife Action Plan, which identifies and prioritizes species of greatest conservation need in the state.
Humpback eyes see silhouettes at distance, little detail: Study
By measuring a humpback whale eye specimen, University of North Carolina Wilmington and Duke University researchers found that the species has limited vision but that it suits their natural environment.
Sam’s Field Notes: Migratory owls and climate change
Naturalist Sam Bland and his wife Bright, while in western Wyoming, recently trekked into the night to observe a researcher who specializes in capturing, banding and monitoring the movements of northern saw-whet owls, a threatened species here in North Carolina.
Holden Beach Turtle Patrol readies for summer programming
Holden Beach Turtle Watch Program, also referred to as “Turtle Patrol,” is planning to offer educational programs throughout the summer starting June 18.
Senate bill pushes for prohibiting, fining for balloon releases
After lobbying, letter writing, cajoling and presentations, “one-woman crusader” Debbie Swick of Southern Shores has seen her efforts to ban balloon releases become a bipartisan-supported senate bill.
Fishermen, scientists differ on whale mortality, wind energy
Opinions up and down the North Carolina coast differ on the reasons behind rising numbers of Atlantic whale deaths, but marine researchers say the science is clear.
‘Working Lives’: Canning sea turtles, Marshallberg, NC, 1938
When the cannery that opened in Marshallberg, a little village in Down East Carteret County, in 1937 ran out of oysters, tomatoes or other crops to can, they turned to canning sea turtles, writes historian David Cecelski.
Wildlife commission seeks advisory committee nominees
Eligible North Carolina residents’ names may be submitted for the state Nongame Wildlife Advisory Committee membership through April 18.
Agency nixes speed limits proposed to protect right whales
“Despite its best efforts, NMFS does not have sufficient time to finalize this regulation in this Administration due to the scope and volume of public comments,” NOAA said before Trump’s inauguration Monday.
Wildlife Corridor offers curriculum on animal crossings
Available at no charge, the new wildlife crossing curriculum is designed for middle school students, but can be modified to meet any learning level, organizers said.
Officials ask public to avoid whale found washed ashore
Kitty Hawk officials were notified Friday morning that a humpback whale had washed up near the Bennett Street Beach Access.
Future U.S. 64 wildlife crossings aim to spare red wolves
The U.S. Federal Highway Administration has awarded NCDOT $25 million to construct wildlife crossings that can provide safe passage for the critically endangered species.
Roanoke aquarium cares for 576 cold-stunned sea turtles
Of the nearly 600 cold-stunned sea turtles brought to the N.C. Aquarium on Roanoke Island earlier this month, as of Friday, 399 have been warmed up and released.
Teams take to sky to survey North Atlantic right whales
Small survey teams will again this year collect information and aerial imagery off the North Carolina and South Carolina coasts on North Atlantic right whales during calving season.
Whales that use echolocation mistake plastic for prey: study
A Duke University doctoral candidate in a new study found that deep-diving whales that rely on sound to forage for food are mistaking plastic for prey.
