Rare Leatherback Sea Turtle Lays Eggs on Virginia Beach in First Recorded Nesting in the State

In a rare and remarkable event, a leatherback sea turtle has laid its eggs on a beach owned by the Navy, marking the first recorded instance of this species nesting in Virginia. The nesting took place on the night of July 25 at the Dam Neck Annex of Naval Air Station Oceana, situated approximately five miles south of the popular resort area of Virginia Beach.

The discovery came to light the following morning when patrollers tasked with monitoring the beach for turtle activity noticed fresh tracks in the sand. The unusual width of these tracks sparked speculation among the monitoring team, as leatherbacks are known for their larger footprints compared to the more commonly found loggerhead turtles in the region. Photographic evidence was promptly shared with the Virginia Aquarium’s stranding response team, which quickly confirmed the species’ identity.

Erin Bates, the rehabilitation manager for the aquarium’s stranding response team, expressed her astonishment at the find. With 17 years of experience in the field, Bates admitted she had to “pinch” herself when she first saw the images of the tracks. She had often joked during patroller training each year that the current season might finally be the one to witness the leatherback nesting, a possibility she regarded as unlikely.

The leatherback sea turtle, the largest of all living turtle species, can grow up to six feet in length and weigh as much as 2,000 pounds. Known for their unique rubbery skin rather than a hard shell, leatherbacks are often affectionately referred to as the “VW bugs of sea turtles”. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), these sea turtles have existed as a distinct species since the age of dinosaurs and can live for up to 50 years. Typically, leatherbacks are deep-water feeders that primarily consume jellyfish, and their nesting habits are generally confined to tropical and subtropical regions, rarely venturing north of North Carolina.

The identification of the leatherback’s nesting was further confirmed on July 27, when an angler fishing on the beach contacted the aquarium with photos of a female leatherback spotted near the same area. This pivotal moment will likely lead to hatchlings emerging from the nest in late September or early October, giving the team a significant milestone to monitor closely.

To ensure the safety of the nesting site, the team at Naval Air Station Oceana collaborated with a range of partners, including the Virginia Aquarium, the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge. They quickly took action to locate and secure the nesting area with protective fencing, prioritising the wellbeing of the hatchlings.

In a statement shared on social media, NAS Oceana hailed this event as a significant training opportunity and a demonstration of effective teamwork. They expressed pride in working with dedicated partners to protect and conserve the diverse wildlife inhabiting their area.

The rarity of this nesting event cannot be underestimated. Leatherbacks predominantly nest in tropical climes where warmer temperatures prevail, making the appearance of this species at Virginia Beach particularly noteworthy. As biologists and conservationists monitor the situation, the community is encouraged to respect the nesting site and remain hopeful for the successful hatching of these remarkable sea turtle hatchlings.

As the date for hatching approaches, local residents and visitors are reminded of the importance of marine conservation efforts and the critical role that such nesting sites play in the survival of leatherback sea turtles. With proper stewardship, there is hope that future generations may witness similar phenomena, enhancing the region’s ecological diversity.