The scarcity of Kemp’s ridleys about 20 years ago prompted efforts Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtles to establish a protected nesting colony in the United States. From 1978-1989, an international experimental project ...An Endangered Species began with the intent to increase the number of Kemp’s ridley nesting on USGS Columbia Environmental Research Center Padre Island National Seashore. This ambitious Padre Island Field Research Station program had one grand Donna Shaver, PhD., Station Leader goal - the conservation 361.949.8173 x226 and recovery of this ancient sea species.
[email protected] Eggs were airlifted from Rancho Nuevo, Mexico to http://www.cerc.usgs.gov/frs_webs/Padre/ south Texas, hatched in controlled conditions, then ollowing the Kemp’s ridley on hatchlings released along their perilous trek from south F the south Texas shore Texas, where efforts are underway to of the Gulf of Mexico. establish a secondary nesting colony, Scientists hoped that to the Gulf of Mexico, is tricky business. turtles would eventually Satellite transmitters are attached to a return to nest and establish select number of females returning to the a colony at Padre Island sea after laying eggs, their movements National Seashore where tracked by receivers picking up the protection and care are signals emitted from their backpacks. available. This signal tells the scientists where Now, some 10 to 15 the adults are feeding and resting after year old mature Kemp’s nesting. The transmitters can last up to ridley females are returning 18 months on their backs before failing or to the south Texas coast falling off.