Kemp's Ridley Turtle Hatchlings Released Into Gulf of Mexico
Thousands of endangered baby sea turtles are being released into the Gulf of Mexico from the Texas coast. The Kemp's ridley turtle hatchlings are being released from the Padre Island National Seashore. The Houston Chroniclesays scientists say the "risks of holding turtles in captivity at a critical stage in their life cycles could be worse than the dangers of oil more than 400 miles away." The Chronicle says the decision is controversial because there is the possibility a hurricane could push oil towards the Texas coast where the turtle hatchlings are being released.
Here is a video of the turtle hatchlings being released. Sea Turtle, Inc. also has information about the hatchling releases here. Take a look:
A video captures baby turtles leaving the nest and heading off to begin their lives at sea. The turtles are endangered loggerhead sea turtles and the nests are located off the Florida coast. They appear to be crawling along the bottom of the ocean and not swimming yet.
