OCRACOKE, N.C. — The first signs of sea turtle nesting season were found along North Carolina's southern Outer Banks.
Cape Hatteras National Seashore said the first sea turtle nest of the season was found on Ocracoke Island early Friday morning.
The national seashore posted a photo on its Facebook page, showing the turtle tracks in the sand.
Cape Hatteras officials said that based on the pattern of the crawl, biologists can tell the nest came from a Loggerhead sea turtle.
Officials said last year, the first sea turtle nest of the season was also found on Ocracoke on May 14.
The cycle of life happens every year on the national seashore. Female sea turtles return to the beaches, where they were once hatched, to lay their eggs in the sand. The next generation of sea turtles will hatch nearly two months later.
According to the national seashore's website, you should keep a distance of at least 30 feet from a nesting female turtle. If you see a sea turtle, you're encouraged to call 252-216-6892.