8 September 2026



Greetings!

Did you know that Banana Pudding was Dolly Parton's favorite dessert? Banana Pudding (pictured here) is also the name of one of seven beautiful sea turtles about to be released back to the wild! You are invited to join us - in person or online - on Thursday, September 10 to cheer them on their way home. We think Dolly - well-known for her kindness to animals and people - would have approved.

WHO? Green turtles Banana Pudding, Beignet, Bread Puddin, Cookie, Queen Cake, Snickerdoodle; Loggerhead turtle Whoopie Pie (pictured here)

(*Please note this list is a preliminary list and is subject to change.*)

WHAT? Sea Turtle Release!

WHEN? Thursday, September 10, 2026, 10:00 am

WHERE? Jeffries (NTB Beach Access 33), 232 New River Inlet Road, North Topsail Beach

WHY? Because these sea turtles are now fully rehabilitated and ready to return to their ocean home!

PLEASE BE ADVISED:

~ Paid parking is in effect. A limited number of public parking spaces are available at North Topsail Beach Accesses 33, 34, and 35, and at the NTB Town Hall. Please carpool, ride your bike, or walk if possible. Please park only where allowed; police officers will be available to direct you. Thank you for your cooperation.

~ Please stay off the dunes! The dunes protect our beach for the benefit of turtles and people alike!

~ This release is open to the public. There is limited beach space. Please be patient and respectful! Our volunteers will create a perimeter for the turtles; kindly stay outside the perimeter. If you are close to the front, please sit so people behind you can see. Volunteers will be available to answer any questions you may have.

~ Please pick up all trash and dispose of it properly. Trash and Recycling bins are located nearby. Let's keep our beautiful beaches clean for turtles and people!

~ If we are able to connect, the release will be broadcast live on Facebook or Instagram so you can watch (or re-watch) later. If we are unable to connect live, which sometimes happens at big releases, then we will post videos after the release.

About the Turtles:

GREENS

Banana Pudding - juvenile green turtle that stranded 4/17/26 suffering from debilitated turtle syndrome. Rescued from Cape Lookout National Seashore by Cape Lookout Park Rangers.

Beignet - juvenile green turtle that stranded 5/19/26 suffering from debilitated turtle syndrome. Rescued from Bald Head Island by Bald Head Island Conservancy.

Bread Puddin - juvenile green turtle that stranded 5/23/26 suffering from boat strike injury. Rescued from Holden Beach by Holden Beach Turtle Watch.

Cookie - juvenile green turtle that stranded 5/13/26 suffering from debilitated turtle syndrome. Rescued from Wrightsville Beach by Wrightsville Beach Sea Turtle Patrol.

Queen Cake - juvenile green turtle that stranded 5/4/26 suffering from debilitated turtle syndrome. Rescued with permission by former KBSTC volunteer from Hubert and brought to KBSTC.

Snickerdoodle (pictured here) - juvenile green turtle that stranded 12/20/25 suffering from cold stunning. Rescued from Okracoke by the Network for Endangered Sea Turtles. Triaged at the NC Aquarium STAR Center. Transferred to KBSTC 1/23/26 for ongoing rehabilitation.

LOGGERHEAD

Whoopie Pie - juvenile loggerhead turtle that stranded 4/2/26 suffering from debilitated turtle syndrome. Rescued from Atlantic Beach by the Atlantic Beach Sea Turtle Project, triaged at the NC State Center for Marine Sciences and Technology, and admitted to KBSTC on 4/3/26 for ongoing rehabilitation.

Along with these amazing, resilient turtles, I hope to see you - in person or online - on Thursday!

Best fishes and Flipper high fives,

Kathy Zagzebski

Executive Director

The Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Center

This conservation work for protected sea turtles at KBSTC is authorized by the NC Wildlife Resources Commission, ES Permit 26ST05.

The Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Center

910-329-0222 | info@seaturtlehospital.org | www.seaturtlehospital.org