The season's fourth release of newly hatched Kemp's ridley sea turtles should occur at 6:45 a.m. Thursday, July 3 at the Padre Island National Seashore on North Padre Island. To make sure the free public release watch goes as planned, call the Hatchling Hotline at 361-949-7163. If no cancellation is posted by 2 a.m. the day of the release, then the release will happen.
It's the height of sea turtle season. Other releases could be held on July 4 and/or July 5.
Releases are held in front of the Malaquite Beach Visitor Center at the national seashore. Tell the attendant at the entrance station you are going to see the release and you can get in free. Two miles past the station, you'll see a hatchling release sign on the right and a parking lot on the left. Park in the lot and meet on the deck of the visitor center.
A program about the sea turtles begins the morning at 6:20 a.m. Everyone heads to the release site at around 6:45 a.m.
No food is allowed, as it will attract gulls. Also, don't wear white clothing, white footwear or take flash photos. Any of these can distract the sea turtles from their march to the sea.
As clutches of eggs hatch, rangers plan for public releases. Sea turtle hatching season is at its peak through the rest of the month and into August, when it begins to slow down.
As the site of the largest nesting ground for Kemp’s ridleys, the National Seashore has made sea turtle conservation a central focus of its purpose and programs. In fact, the visitors center at the seashore is a replica of a nesting turtle, including a model of the nest as seen under the sand.
Staff and volunteers continually comb the beach for trash that many of the turtles mistake for food, causing them injury. During nesting season in the spring, human helpers elsewhere in the region seek out nesting turtles and move them to the Padre Island National Seashore nesting facility. There, the turtles — along with 380 species of birds — can be better protected from natural hazards like hot tidal surges, predatory crabs, raccoons and other threats.
Volunteer efforts are always encouraged during the Kemp’s ridleys’ nesting season. You also can opt to adopt! By purchasing a $10 adopt-a-turtle packet, you can ensure the proceeds will directly aid in the conservation efforts of the Kemp’s ridley.
The Malaquite Visitors Center at the national seashore is located at 20420 Park Road 22, Corpus Christi, and is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. seven days a week. Visit the park’s website for more about camping, volunteering and to learn about how to help keep the Kemp’s ridley sea turtle safe. For more on sea turtles in Corpus Christi check out the National Park Service website.