The Virginian-Pilot
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A protective sea turtle closure in Cape Hatteras National Seashore was vandalized last week, according to a news release from the National Park Service.
The incident was discovered Thursday morning about two-tenths of a mile northeast of Ramp 49 in an area open to off-road vehicle traffic, the statement said.
A vehicle had driven through fencing on one side of the turtle closure, continued through the black filter fencing at the nest site and exited through the perimeter fencing on the other side.
The nest did not appeared to be damaged.
As required in a court-ordered consent decree, the buffer was expanded 50 meters. If the vandal is apprehended from information provided by the public or through Park Service investigations, the buffer may be retracted.
Cyndy Holda, Park Service spokeswoman, said that it is the 11th vandalism of beach closures in the seashore this year. Of those, it is the second turtle closure that has been vandalized.
Catherine Kozak, (252) 441-1711, cate.kozak@pilotonline.com
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Vandalism at Cape Hatteras
Yet another incident! When will authorities take action to protect the beaches and the wildlife? It is not enough to run the article. It is not enough to widen the buffer. Let everyone know that the nest was not damaged. The individual(s) will try again. When will action be taken?
Remember the wild horse in the Corolla area that was terrorized and so badly injured it had to be euthanized? Nothing has been done to better protect the remaining horses who graze and live peacefully on the Outer Banks. The only problem they have comes from humans.
Now someone has tried to destroy the nest and the area protecting the turtle nests. The buffer was widened. Do you really think the criminal will respect the buffer? It didn't stop him (them) before!
Action needs to be taken. These are federal wildlife laws that are being broken and the laws are not being enforced. Perhaps we need new authorities who haven't become so complacent. These animals look to people for protection. We are letting them down.
diisgrace
What a disgrace-- I wonder if the vandals were even from North Carolina or old enough to drive.
"As required in a
"As required in a court-ordered consent decree, the buffer was expanded 50 meters. If the vandal is apprehended from information provided by the public or through Park Service investigations, the buffer may be retracted."
Retract the buffer immediately.
When are the leaders at the park service going to act?
Hammer these scofflaws with federal conspiracy charges. Put them away for years. That will send the right message.
When the hammerhead turtle gets reclassified in a couple of months, this will add urgency to the park service core mission. (Preservation)
People who live there know who these folks are.
Too bad
the park service does NOTHING to apprehend these environmentalists that do this "damage" in order to expand the restrictive area. Notice that there is NEVER any damage to the nesting areas. Where is the policing???????????