Along the bayfront at Sunset Park in Harvey Cedars lies a small beach that people use to launch sailboats and small craft. But on a recent morning the area witnessed an unusual sight – a Kemp’s ridley sea turtle.

“My daughter first spotted it,” said Peter Chieco, who lives nearby at West Salem Avenue. “I walked over to look at it. I was hoping to put it back in the water, but unfortunately, the turtle was deceased.”

Chieco then contacted the Marine Mammal Stranding Center in Brigantine, which sent a volunteer to the location.

“The volunteer said he was going to take it back to the center,” Chieco said.