CONSERVATION
Nest conservation program
Every year, multiple species of sea turtles come ashore to lay eggs on the beaches of South Padre Island and Boca Chica Beach. The most common nesting female we encounter is the Kemp’s ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys kempii). The Kemp’s ridley is critically endangered due to decades of egg harvesting in their primary nesting grounds of Rancho Nuevo, Tamaulipas, Mexico, and mortality related to shrimp fisheries before the implementation of Turtle Excluder Devices (TED) . Today, there are multiple government agencies and non-profit organizations in both Mexico and the United States working towards saving this critically endangered species of sea turtle.
Since 1999, Sea Turtle, Inc. has participated in the bi-national efforts to protect the Kemp’s ridley and other species of sea turtles that come ashore to lay eggs. Between April 1 and August 15, our interns and volunteers conduct daily patrols in the 50 southernmost miles of Texas’ beaches looking for sea turtle nesting activity. If we encounter a nesting female, we carefully tag the turtle, take a biopsy sample, and collect morphometric data as a part of collaborative studies. Once the nesting female is safely back in the water, we excavate her eggs and relocate them to a hatchery for safe incubation. After a period of 45 to 55 days, hatchlings emerge from the nest cavities and we safely release them to the Gulf of Mexico under moonlight and away from city lights. When conditions allow, we hold public hatchling releases.
Conservation around the World
Sea Turtle, Inc. is a proud advocate of other sea turtle conservation programs around the world. This year, we have provided financial support to a sea turtle hospital in Glyfada, Greece and a sea turtle nesting project in the southern beaches of Sri Lanka.
We also created a partnership with the Universidad Michoacána de San Nicolas and the communities of Colola and Mexiquillo in Michoacán, Mexico. Every year, we take a small group of tourists to participate in conservation efforts for the pacific black sea turtle in Colola, Michoacan. The funds generated from these eco-tours are given back to those communities to continue conservation efforts to protect pacific black and leatherback sea turtles.
Sea Turtle Hatchling releases
Our number one priority is to make sure sea turtle hatchlings make it to the Gulf of Mexico as soon as they hatch. Generally, it happens right in the middle of the night. However, sometimes hatchlings emerge as the sun is rising, and we are able to hold a public release. Your chance of seeing a public hatchling release increases when a lot of nests are expected to hatch at the same time. Look at the calendar below to see how many nests we have protected and the expected dates of hatching.
* Public Hatchling Releases will be announced the morning of at 6 a.m. No post will be made if no hatchling release is occurring that morning. Please engage on our Facebook page for the latest information .
2022 Nesting Season Breakdown
Date Found
4/28/22
Number of Eggs
94
Estimated Hatching Dates
June 12 – June 22
Date Found
4/29/22
Number of Eggs
91
Estimated Hatching Dates
June 13 – June 23
Date Found
5/2/22
Number of Eggs
102
Estimated Hatching Dates
June 16 – June 26
Date Found
5/2/22
Number of Eggs
102
Estimated Hatching Dates
June 16 – June 26
Date Found
5/2/22
Number of Eggs
123
Estimated Hatching Dates
June 16 – June 26
Date Found
5/2/22
Number of Eggs
94
Estimated Hatching Dates
June 16 – June 26
Date Found
5/2/22
Number of Eggs
87
Estimated Hatching Dates
June 16 – June 26
Date Found
5/2/22
Number of Eggs
111
Estimated Hatching Dates
June 16 – June 26
Date Found
5/4/22
Number of Eggs
123
Estimated Hatching Dates
June 18 – June 28
Date Found
5/4/22
Number of Eggs
93
Estimated Hatching Dates
June 18 – June 28
Date Found
5/12/22
Number of Eggs
91
Estimated Hatching Dates
June 26 – July 6
Date Found
5/12/22
Number of Eggs
94
Estimated Hatching Dates
June 26 – July 6
Date Found
5/12/22
Number of Eggs
95
Estimated Hatching Dates
June 26 – July 6
Date Found
5/13/22
Number of Eggs
105
Estimated Hatching Dates
June 27 – July 7
Date Found
5/13/22
Number of Eggs
87
Estimated Hatching Dates
June 27 – July 7
Date Found
5/13/22
Number of Eggs
93
Estimated Hatching Dates
June 27 – July 7
Date Found
5/13/22
Number of Eggs
94
Estimated Hatching Dates
June 27 – July 7
Date Found
5/13/22
Number of Eggs
95
Estimated Hatching Dates
June 27 – July 7
Date Found
5/13/22
Number of Eggs
102
Estimated Hatching Dates
June 27 – July 7
Date Found
5/13/22
Number of Eggs
119
Estimated Hatching Dates
June 27 – July 7
Date Found
5/14/22
Number of Eggs
99
Estimated Hatching Dates
June 28 – July 8
Date Found
5/17/22
Number of Eggs
93
Estimated Hatching Dates
July 1 – July 11
Date Found
5/20/22
Number of Eggs
98
Estimated Hatching Dates
July 4 – July 14
Date Found
5/20/22
Number of Eggs
83
Estimated Hatching Dates
July 4 – July 14
Date Found
5/20/22
Number of Eggs
18
Estimated Hatching Dates
July 4 – July 14
Date Found
5/20/22
Number of Eggs
111
Estimated Hatching Dates
July 4 – July 14
Date Found
5/20/22
Number of Eggs
109
Estimated Hatching Dates
July 4 – July 14
Date Found
5/20/22
Number of Eggs
58
Estimated Hatching Dates
July 4 – July 14
Date Found
5/20/22
Number of Eggs
95
Estimated Hatching Dates
July 4 – July 14
Date Found
5/21/22
Number of Eggs
82
Estimated Hatching Dates
July 5 – July 15
Date Found
5/22/22
Number of Eggs
86
Estimated Hatching Dates
July 6 – July 16
Date Found
5/22/22
Number of Eggs
108
Estimated Hatching Dates
July 6 – July 16
Date Found
5/22/22
Number of Eggs
81
Estimated Hatching Dates
July 6 – July 16
Date Found
5/22/22
Number of Eggs
91
Estimated Hatching Dates
July 6 – July 16
Date Found
5/22/22
Number of Eggs
122
Estimated Hatching Dates
July 6 – July 16
Break down of our final 2021 nesting season
Later this year, we are going to completely renovate and expand our hospital. When it is completed in 2022, our new veterinary clinic will include a surgical suite, treatment area, a lead-lined x-ray room, and a blood work station. There will be a ground-to-ceiling viewing window into our treatment room/surgical suite which will allow for our visitors to watch treatments and procedures. Mark your calendars for summer 2022 to come check out our new hospital!
Patient needs can range from minor treatments to major surgery and long term care. Be a part of the journey through patient adoption.
Shop in our gift store to buy gifts for friends and family. This is a great way to support the mission of Sea Turtle, Inc.
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