Dr. Kim Reich of the Sea Turtle and Fisheries Ecology Lab at Texas A&M University at Galveston is carefully watching a Kemp's ridley sea turtle in the new Ocean and Coastal Studies Building at the University. Now you can watch, too!

The Turtle Cam link is http://www.galveston.com/turtlecam/

This small Kemp's ridley swimming in the tank was found weak and injured by fishermen on the West End of Galveston Island. It suffered shell fractures and was missing its right front flipper and parts of its shell along the edge. After being retrieved by the National Marine Fisheries (NMFS), the turtle has been cared for by NMFS staff and Dr. Joe Flanagan DVM from the Houston Zoo. It is now stable but needs recovery time prior to a possible release in May/June.

The public can watch the turtle on the new turtle camera or visit in person. The Outreach Center is open from 9-5 on weekdays and 10 am - 2 pm on Saturday and Sunday for viewing the turtle through a large window. The Outreach Center can be accessed through the Ocean and Coastal Studies building which is located at 1001 Texas Clipper Road on Pelican Island near Galveston Island.

The Sea Turtle Restoration Project is sponsoring a Name-the-Turtle Contest. An elementary or middle school class may send its choice of one name in a letter to P. O. Box 681231, Houston, Texas 77268-1231. The letter should include the name and mailing address of the school with the teacher's name and e-mail address. A winner will be announced by April 1, 2012.