Loggerhead sea turtles recently hatched at Fenwick Island State Park

DNREC photo by Keith Betts

FENWICK ISLAND, Del. – DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife announced on Wednesday that 48 loggerhead sea turtle hatchlings recently emerged from a nest located at Fenwick Island State Park.

Officials say the announcement of the hatching was delayed until an assessment of the status of all the eggs in the nest could be completed.

The loggerhead sea turtle is a federally-listed threatened species, as well as a state-listed endangered species in Delaware.

We’re told the original nest was dug and eggs were laid below the high tide line in the Town of Fenwick near James Street, which likely would have resulted in nest failure. Officials decided to relocate the nest as a result, placing it in a more remote and higher locate at the park to ensure safety of the eggs. DNREC’s divisions of Fish & Wildlife, Parks & Recreation, and Watershed Stewardship worked together to build predator fencing to protect the nest until the hatchlings emerged.

Loggerheads generally nest on sandy beaches from North Carolina to Florida. For them to nest north of Virginia is rare, and is even more rare in Delaware. The last time a loggerhead sea turtle nest was documented in Delaware was in July of 1973, in north Bethany. Assateague Island National Seashore in Maryland experienced its first successful loggerhead hatch just last year, following several failed nesting attempts.

If you would like more information on loggerhead sea turtles or this specific event, you asked to contact Wildlife Biologist Jason Davis with the Division of Fish & Wildlife Species Conservation and Research Program at 302-735-3600.