Although the first nest of Kemp’s ridley sea turtles this year were released in the dark of night June 6, another group is expected to be ready for a public release as early as this weekend, June 11 or 12. Hatchlings are released when they reach a frenzy, no matter what time of night that happens. 
“We don’t hold turtles for public viewing,” said Donna Shaver, chief of the Division of Sea Turtle Science and Recovery at the park. “Once they go into their frenzy, if we held them, they would use up their energy and wash back to shore and die.” 
Hatchlings typically reach the frenzy stage anywhere from 8 p.m. to sunrise on the fourth or fifth day. 
“The more clutches we have hatching at one time, the better chance of pulling off a public release,” Shaver continued. “It provides some insurance.”
Public releases begin at 6:45 a.m. in front of the Malaquite Visitor Center at Padre Island National Seashore. They are free and open to the public. Just tell the guard at the entrance gate why you are there and he or she will wave you on through. 
To time your visit time to a public release, follow the PINS Facebook page or call the Hatchling Hotline at 361-949-7163. 
Visit our website at www.nps.gov/pais for the projected release date ranges for hatchlings from the eggs currently held in our incubation facility. Currently, as of Friday, June 10, eight different groups of eggs will be released from now until June 16. 
For more information on the Kemp’s ridley sea turtles, check out 101corpuschristi.com/VACATION.