HONOLULU — Thousands of visitors were turned away from the USS Arizona Memorial in Honolulu after an endangered turtle decided to get a special tour.
HONOLULU — Thousands of visitors were turned away from the USS Arizona Memorial in Honolulu after an endangered turtle decided to get a special tour.
KHON-TV reports that a green sea turtle was found eating along the dock of the memorial from Wednesday until Friday, preventing tour boats from docking.
Officials say about 3,500 visitors were prevented from visiting the Arizona on those days.
National Park Service officials say turtles on the dock of the Arizona is unusual, but that the animals have been found near Gun Turret 3 on the Arizona Memorial and on Battleship Missouri.
All sea turtles are protected by state and federal law. It is recommended that people stay at least 150 feet from the reptiles.