'It's highly unusual': Loggerhead sea turtle nests in broad daylight on crowded beach

LITCHFIELD BEACH, S.C. (WPDE) — A shocking occurrence happened on a South Carolina beach - a loggerhead sea turtle laying eggs in broad daylight surrounded by people.

It happened at 9:45 a.m. Wednesday morning. A loggerhead sea turtle crawled onto a crowded beach in North Litchfield, laid 102 eggs, and then crawled back into the sea.

Bill Raley, from S.C.U.T.E. North Litchfield, said turtles usually get spooked by people and animals and that he's surprised the mother turtle stuck around to lay eggs.

It's highly unusual," said Raley. "I've been here 17 years and I've never seen one come in at this time of day before.

Afterward, S.C.U.T.E. volunteers relocated the eggs to a safer location high in the dunes.

If you do see a turtle nesting on the beach, S.C.U.T.E. asks that you please keep your distance since most turtles do get spooked easily.