Park service expands buffer around turtle enclosure on Outer Banks

Off-road vehicles by the dozens visited the east side of Cape Point on Wednesday, the first day in months that the popular fishing spot has been open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. to recreational traffic.

But the busy day for ORV drivers was marred by vandalism elsewhere of a protected sea turtle nesting area. 

According to news release by the National Park Service Outer Banks Group, human and canine footprints were discovered near a turtle closure on Sunday. Buffers around the closed area about 1.2 miles south of Rodanthe Pier that had been open to pedestrians were expanded as required in a court-sanctioned agreement.

The nesting season for beach nesting birds is winding down at Cape Point, the statement said, but colonial waterbird nests and chicks are still protected by closures on the west side of the Point.