In 1977, a program was started to encourage the endangered Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtles to nest on Padre Island. More than 20,000 turtle eggs were relocated to Padre Island from the only known nesting site on a beach in Mexico. The Turtles have now begun to return to Padre Island to lay their eggs. A record of 197 Kemp's Ridley sea turtle nests were found on Texas beaches in 2009, including 157 on Padre Island.
Nesting season is from April through July. Sightings of any type of live Sea Turtle should be reported to the proper wildlife officials immediately.
Officials released 10,594 Kemp's Ridley hatchlings along the Texas coast this year. You can call the Hatchling Hotline at (361) 949-7163 for information on the next sea turtle hatchling release.
| 
