NC planning new sea turtle hospital

WILMINGTON, N.C. - A North Carolina contractor says plans for a new sea turtle hospital in Surf City are in the works.

The Star-News of Wilmington reports Friday that Wilmington-based Baldwin Construction Services, Inc., is planning to design and build the 14,200-square-foot Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center.

The center announced Thursday will include 45 rehabilitation tanks, a laboratory, a surgical suite with an X-ray and an observation deck for the public.

Loggerhead sea turtles have been listed as a threatened species since 1978.

A study released in August predicted broad declines in sea turtle populations in the coming years, putting new pressure on the government to upgrade their status to endangered and further restrict commercial fisheries.