BUXTON - A section of beach closed for bird nest protection has been enlarged because vandals tore down National Park Service boundary signs.

Park spokeswoman Cyndy Holda said Monday that 12 signs were torn down in the South Beach area of Hatteras Island and were discovered Saturday by a ranger. Under terms of a court consent decree, the signs were moved out an additional 150 feet.

Holda said no one had been apprehended and there has been no more vandalism.

The decree spells out closures allowed to protect the nests of endangered birds and turtles. It was agreed to with conservation groups that had sued the park service seeking stricter rules.

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