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$2,750 donation to S.T.A.R. Center received from Perquimans Central School
The N.C. Aquarium on Roanoke Island is thrilled to announce a $2,750 donation to the N.C. Aquarium Society for the Aquarium’s Sea Turtle Assistance and Rehabilitation Center (S.T.A.R. Center) from the students at Perquimans Central School of Winfall, N.C. Funds for the donation were raised by students, teachers, and families by making and selling sea turtle-themed friendship bracelets. On April 14 second-grade teacher Jenna Lassiter formally presented a check to Leslie Vegas, animal husbandry curator for the Aquarium, in front of 114 students, their families, and 11 teachers visiting the Aquarium for a field trip.
Larry Warner, director of the Aquarium, said, “I can’t begin to express my gratitude and how much it warms my heart to have the students and teachers at Perquimans Central School take this initiative! Seeing elementary children learning the importance of saving sea turtles leaves me so hopeful for a bright future for stewardship and conservation of our marine environments.”
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The 3,000-square-foot S.T.A.R. Center, dedicated in 2014, provides year-round medical care and rehabilitation assistance to sea turtles, mostly loggerhead, Kemp’s ridley and greens. During the winter of 2024-25, the Aquarium rehabilitated and released over 600 cold-stunned sea turtles, breaking previous records for the season. Founded in 1976, the Aquarium is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2026.
Sea turtles in North Carolina are protected by the Endangered Species Act and managed by the NC Wildlife Resources Commission. NC Aquarium on Roanoke Island operates under NCWRC Sea Turtle Permit #25ST46.
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World Sea Turtle Day Celebrated with Special Programs and Sea Turtle Releases
On June 16 the Aquarium celebrated World Sea Turtle Day with special sea turtle-themed programming, crafts, talks with sea turtle experts and rescuers, and sea turtle releases. Additionally, the S.T.A.R. Center, dedicated in June 2014 celebrated its 11th anniversary.
Two released green sea turtles, nicknamed “Maple” and “Pirate Ship”, were initially rescued and brought to the S.T.A.R. Center at the Aquarium by the National Park Service at Cape Hatteras National Seashore and N.E.S.T. (Network for Endangered Sea Turtles). Maple was previously treated during the winter cold stun season at The Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center. After months of rehabilitation at the S.T.A.R. Center, their releases on June 16 were celebrated by staff, volunteers from N.E.S.T. (Network for Endangered Sea Turtles), and children attending summer camp at the Aquarium.
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Both sea turtles were released into the Croatan Sound by Aquarium husbandry intern Rylee, a marine biology student at UNC-Wilmington. A native to the Outer Banks and a graduate of Dare County Schools, Rylee said, “This is one of the top 10 moments of my life. Coming to the Aquarium as a kid is when my love of the ocean began.”
Sea turtles in North Carolina are protected by the Endangered Species Act and managed by the NC Wildlife Resources Commission. NC Aquarium on Roanoke Island operates under NCWRC Sea Turtle Permit #25ST46.
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