Two Loggerhead Sea Turtle Hatchlings to Make Debut

Two loggerhead sea turtle hatchlings, Percy and Capri, are ready for their closeup! The community is invited to see their first splash Wednesday, Sept. 24, at 9:30 a.m. in the Loggerhead Sea Turtle Conservation habitat at the NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher (NCAFF). Kure Beach Mayor Allen Oliver will have the distinct honor of releasing one of the hatchlings into the public habitat. The North Carolina Aquariums are a division of the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.

The journey of Percy and Capri has already been exciting for the community, staff and volunteers as everyone had a part in naming them. Every fall, NCAFF welcomes two of these tiny but mighty ambassadors for conservation action. They did not make the initial trek to the ocean. Aquarium team members and sea turtle volunteers excavate the nests 72 hours after a hatching which sometimes yields live hatchlings. Percy came from Carolina Beach and Capri came from Fort Fisher. The duo will be under the care of the Aquarium team for a year, taking turns in the habitat.

"We're excited for the community to meet Percy and Capri and to have Mayor Oliver join us for this special occasion," said Joanna Zazzali, NCAFF director. "For our team, sharing their story is an important way to create connections for visitors that can last a lifetime."

Engaging the community in protecting them is at the heart of the mission of the Aquarium to inspire appreciation and conservation of our aquatic environments. Find out more about protecting sea turtles at Sea Turtle Conservation.

Ahead of the debut, visitors are invited to say farewell to yearlings Maris and Atlas who are stunning to watch as they swim in the Loggerhead Sea Turtle Conservation habitat. The veterinary team cleared them for release to the ocean, passing the torch to the new hatchlings.

The debut is included in an Aquarium visit. Online reservations are required to visit the Aquarium at NCAFF Tickets.

This sea turtle conservation work is authorized by the NC Wildlife Resources Commission, ES Permit 23ST26.

About the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher
The North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher is just south of Kure Beach, a short drive from Wilmington on U.S. 421 and less than a mile from the Fort Fisher ferry terminal. The Aquarium is one of three Aquariums and a pier that make up the North Carolina Aquariums, a division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. The mission of the Aquarium is to inspire appreciation and conservation of our aquatic environments. The Aquarium features a 235-000-gallon sand tiger shark habitat, an albino alligator, a bald eagle, a loggerhead sea turtle habitat and two families of mischievous Asian small-clawed otters.

Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Admission: $15 ages 13-61; $13 children ages 3-12; $14 seniors (62 and older) and military with valid identification; NC EBT card holders: $3. Free admission for children 2 and younger and N.C. Aquarium Society members and N.C. Zoo members. *EBT rate is applicable to a maximum of four tickets.

About the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources
The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) manages, promotes, and enhances the things that people love about North Carolina - its diverse arts and culture, rich history, and spectacular natural areas. Through its programs, the department enhances education, stimulates economic development, improves public health, expands accessibility, and strengthens community resiliency.