NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher needs help naming sea turtle hatchlings

FORT FISHER, NC (WWAY) — Two loggerhead sea turtle hatchlings are in the house at the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher this fall, and the aquarium is asking for the public’s help to name them.

According to a press release, one hatchling came from Fort Fisher and the other from Carolina Beach. They did not make the initial trek to the ocean during the nest hatching.

Aquarium team members and sea turtle volunteers excavate the nests 72 hours after a hatching which sometimes yields stragglers. NCAFF welcomes two of these hatchlings every year as ambassadors in the Loggerhead Sea Turtle Conservation habitat.

“We’re excited to welcome these loggerhead sea turtles to the Aquarium, inspiring the community to join our mission to protect them,” said Andrew Johnson, NCAFF aquarist. “They debut in the habitat as tiny survivors and stay with us until they become yearlings, and along this journey, create connections for visitors that can last a lifetime,” he added.

NAME OPTIONS:

• Option A — Waccamaw & Coharie
  • Waccamaw (Honoring the American Indians—the Waccamaw Siouan, whose tribal homeland is on the edge of Green Swamp about 37 miles from Wilmington, NC)
  • Coharie (Honoring the Coharie Indian Tribe presently in southeastern region of the State)
• Option B — Harbor & isla
  • Harbor (A place to find shelter, especially one protected from rough water.)
  • Isla (Spanish word for island.)
• Option C — Cora & Kéya
  • Cora (Derived from “coral,” indirectly referencing their habitat and scientific name.)
  • Kéya (Lakota word for turtle — a sacred figure in Lakota symbolism as it represents Mother Earth and the spirit represents the guardian of life, longevity and fortitude.)
• Option D — Yaupon & Coquina
  • Yaupon (Tree native to Carolina Beach and Fort Fisher.)
  • Coquina (Soft rock made of shells buried under the sand-Fort Fisher is the northernmost location where it is found.)
• Option E — Beacon & Buoy
  • Beacon (A light or other visible object serving as a signal, warning or guide at sea. Inspired by our hatchling program being a beacon of hope for conservation of the species.)
  • Buoy (An anchored float serving as a navigation mark to show reefs or for mooring. Inspired by the hatchlings often floating at the surface like a buoy in their first few months.)
• Option F — Takoda & Ama
  • Takoda (Sioux for “friend to all”.)
  • Ama (Cherokee name for “water”, honoring Native American linguistic and cultural ties to the region.)
• Option G — Percy & Capri
  • Percy (Short for “Perseids”, a meteor shower that was active during the time of their hatching.)
  • Capri (Short for “alpha Capricornids”, a meteor shower that was active during their hatching.)
• Option H — Nova & Astral
  • Nova (Meaning “new star”, symbolizing their bright future.)
  • Astral (Meaning of, connected with or resembling the stars.)
• Option I — Azure & Sable
  • Azure (Inspired by the beautiful blue hues of the sea.)
  • Sable (After the dark color of some sea turtle shells, signifying elegance and strength.)

To vote, head to the Aquarium to vote in-person or to the NCAFF socials to click and cast your vote on these platforms: Facebook, Instagram, Threads and LinkedIn. Deadline to vote is Friday, Aug. 22 at noon.