07/23/2026
Big turtle news!
A Leatherback Sea Turtle has laid eggs on Dam Neck Annex! The discovery marks the first recorded Leatherback sea turtle nesting in the state of Virginia.
According to the NAS Oceana Natural Resources team, it is incredibly rare for Leatherbacks to nest in this area. As the largest turtles on Earth, they can grow up to 6 feet long and weigh up to 2,000 pounds!
NAS Oceana’s Natural Resources team, dedicated supporters, Virginia Aquarium Stranding Response Team, Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR), and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge worked together to quickly locate, identify, and safely fence off the nesting site.
This milestone serves as both a vital training opportunity and a testament to the power of teamwork. We are proud to work alongside dedicated partners to protect and preserve the wildlife that calls our installation home.
Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center
Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources
Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge
