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Scientist sees Hawaii’s Turtle Beach as potential virus hotspot

By Jamm Aquino

July 11, 2020

Coronavirus OutbreakCoronavirus Outbreak in HawaiiCoronavirus PhotosVideo

1/17
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2/17
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Signage about turtle interaction is seen on Thursday at Laniakea Beach, also known as Turtle Beach, on Oahu’s North Shore. Hawaii scientist George Balazs suggests that the normally crowded beach, which has been mostly empty of visitors during quarantine, be closed to public after tourism reopens because throngs of visitors will once again pack the narrow beach where social distancing is difficult and coronavirus spread is likely.
3/17
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Malama Na Honu volunteer Tim Wesely, left, adjusts a sign as a green turtle identified as “Sapphire” hauls out to observing beachgoers on Thursday.
4/17
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A green sea turtle identified as “Sapphire” by researchers hauls out as beachgoers watch on Thursday.
5/17
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A green sea turtle identified as “Sapphire” by researchers hauls out as beachgoers watch on Thursday.
6/17
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Malama Na Honu volunteer Tim Wesely, left, adjusts a rope barrier for a green turtle identified as “Sapphire” as observing beachgoers watch on Thursday.
7/17
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A green sea turtle swims near beachgoers on Thursday.
8/17
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A green sea turtle swims near beachgoers on Thursday at Laniakea Beach.
9/17
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A woman takes a photo of a green turtle on Thursday at Laniakea Beach.
10/17
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A green sea turtle surfaces for a breath near a surfer on Thursday.
11/17
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A green sea turtle identified as “Sapphire” by researchers hauls out onto the sand on Thursday.
12/17
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A green sea turtle identified as “Sapphire” by researchers hauls out onto the sand on Thursday.
13/17
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A green sea turtle identified as “Sapphire” by researchers hauls out amidst beachgoers on Thursday.
14/17
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A green sea turtle identified as “Sapphire” by researchers hauls out amidst beachgoers on Thursday at Laniakea Beach.
15/17
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Malama Na Honu volunteer Tim Wesely observes a green turtle identified as “Sapphire.”
16/17
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A green sea turtle identified as “Sapphire” by researchers hauls out onto the sand on Thursday.
17/17
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A green sea turtle identified as “Sapphire” by researchers hauls out onto the sand on Thursday.
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