First Nests of 2014 Found on Padre Island National Seashore
Houston (April 30, 2014) – The critically endangered Kemp’s ridley sea turtles return to the beaches of Texas and Mexico in April, May and June every year to lay their eggs. Just this week on April 27 and 28 the first two Kemp’s ridley sea turtle nests of the 2014 season were found on the Padre Island National Seashore, according to Dr. Donna Shaver of Padre Island National Seashore.
“We are thrilled to see the first Kemp’s ridley sea turtles returning to our beautiful Texas coast just in time for our ‘Shell-e-bration’ event on May 10th in their honor,” said Carole Allen, Gulf of Mexico director for Turtle Island Restoration Network, an organization working to protect the endangered sea turtles.
Turtle Island’s Sea Turtle Restoration Project is currently coordinating the critical nesting and beach monitoring program, and seeking public support, funding and volunteers.
“These are Texas’ very own sea turtles. They come to our coast each year and it is our duty to protect them,” added Allen.
The public can help by:
- Volunteering! Those living in the area of Galveston County, Brazoria County or Harris Counties in Texas can volunteer with our monitoring program. Interested volunteers can email turtlepatrol@tirn.net or call (409) 795-8426 to get involved.
- Calling 1-866-TURTLE -5 (1-866-877-8535) whenever a sea turtle nest, tracks or hatchlings are seen on a Texas beach. Doing so will activate a network of beach patrollers who will look out for the safety of the sea turtles and their nests.
- Attending Turtle Island’s Sea Turtle Restoration Project ‘Shell-e-bration’ event on May 10 in honor of the first anniversary of the Kemp’s Ridley sea turtle being named the official sea turtle of the state of Texas. More details about the free, family-friendly event are available online here.
Turtle Island Restoration Network’s Sea Turtle Restoration Project and the Padre Island National Seashore will be providing daily updates on the nesting numbers. Visit https://seaturtles.org/turtle-count-texas-coast/ to see the latest numbers.
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