Kemp’s Ridley sea turtle hatchlings are at an all-time high this year at Padre Island National Seashore. Photo courtesy of NPS
Make your trip to the beach an extraordinary learning experience by watching baby turtles make their way from the sand to the surf in an ongoing struggle to survive.
This year, 236 nests of endangered Kemp’s Ridley sea turtles have been found along the Texas coast: 155 on the Padre Island National Seashore, 14 on Corpus Christi city beaches. The last record was in 2012 when 209 nests were found.
According to the Padre Island National Seashore Facebook page, the first public release of the year will be held sometime between June 6 and June 11.
The releases aren’t daily or scheduled regularly. The hatchlings are unpredictable, and it is impossible to determine when they’ll be ready to go. Just like with pregnant women, the due date is estimated, not set in stone.
Public releases take place at 6:45 a.m. on Malaquite Beach at Padre Island National Seashore. It’s worth the early alarm — we promise! You’ll see not only a stunning sunrise, but experience a National Geographic-esque moment right before your eyes.
Hundreds of people come out for each release to watch the baby turtles crawl towards the ocean — a trek across the sand that can take up to 45 minutes. PINS staff keep hungry birds back as the little ones head for the water where other dangers lurk.
PINS advises turtle fans to plan their visits to the beach when several nests are due to hatch. There are several ways to stay in the know:
- Take a look at this schedule for the 2017 Sea Turtle Nesting Season.
- Follow the Division of Sea Turtle Science & Recovery on Facebook, which stays up-to-date.
- Call the Hatchling Hotline at (361) 949-7163 to find out the latest information, including new releases or release cancellations.
