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Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle Hatchlings Heading To Sea At Padre Island National Seashore

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By NPT Staff - June 11th, 2017

The annual release of Kemp's ridley sea turtle hatchlings has begun at Padre Island National Seashore/NPS

The release of baby Kemp's ridley sea turtles is underway at Padre Island National Seashore in Texas. Seashore staff collect the turtle eggs shortly after they're laid on the beach to ensure that predators don't get them and to incubate them. When they begin to hatch the turtles are returned to the beach, where they quickly head to sea.

Kemp's ridley sea turtles are the rarest of all sea turtle species and listed as "endangered" under the Endangered Species Act. The work at Padre Island National Seashore is helping increase the turtle's population.

Traveler contributing photographer and writer Rebecca Latson visited Padre Island for the first few days of hatchling releases this year, and returned with this video.

Watch the Traveler in the coming weeks for additional coverage of this incredible work by the Padre Island staff, working under the guidance of Dr. Donna Shaver.

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