The green sea turtle, the largest hard-shelled sea turtle in the world, is making a remarkable comeback in Texas. This year, the number of green sea turtle nests in the state has reached a new record, with 43 nests found as of August 9, 2023. The previous record was 39 nests in 2020.
The majority of the nests are located at the Padre Island National Seashore, where the sea turtle conservation program is active. The program, led by Donna Shaver, the chief of sea turtle science and recovery at the national seashore, has been working to protect and restore the green sea turtle population since 1980.
“We’re very excited about it. It’s a new record for Texas,” Shaver said. She explained that the program monitors the beaches for nesting turtles and tracks, collects the eggs and incubates them in a protected facility, and releases the hatchlings into the Gulf of Mexico.
Shaver also said that the program faces many challenges, such as storms, predators, human disturbances, and the COVID-19 pandemic. However, she said that the program has received tremendous support from volunteers, partners, and the public.
“It’s amazing to see these animals come back from near extinction,” said Wendy Knight, the executive director of Sea Turtle Inc., a nonprofit organization that rescues and rehabilitates sea turtles on South Padre Island. She said that the green sea turtle was once hunted for its meat and eggs, and now faces threats such as habitat loss, fishing gear entanglement, poaching, and climate change.
The green sea turtle is listed as endangered under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. It can weigh up to 700 pounds and measure up to 5 feet in length. It is named for the green color of its fat, which comes from its herbivorous diet of seagrasses and algae.
The green sea turtle is not the only sea turtle species that nests in Texas. The Kemp’s ridley sea turtle, the most endangered sea turtle in the world, also nests in Texas from April to mid-July. This year, 353 Kemp’s ridley nests were found in Texas, which is slightly lower than last year’s 367 nests.
Shaver said that anyone who sees a nesting turtle or tracks on the beach should report it to the program. “If you see a nesting turtle or tracks on the beach, please call us at 361-949-8173 ext. 226 or email us at seaturtleprogram@nps.gov,” she said.
She also said that people can help the sea turtles by keeping the beaches clean, avoiding artificial lights at night, and supporting conservation efforts.
The article also mentioned a famous Texas sea turtle named Allison, who had one flipper and a prosthetic device. She died at age 18 on July 22, 2023. “Allison was an inspiration to many people around the world who learned about her story,” Sea Turtle Inc. said on Facebook.
Relevant articles:
– Padre Island National Seashore sees record-breaking green sea turtle nesting season despite challenges, by KIII-TV, published on August 14, 2023.
– Record season for sea turtle nests in Texas, by KIII-TV, published on August 11, 2023.
– Record-breaking number of green sea turtle nests found on Texas beaches this year, by MSN News, published on August 18, 2023.