Padre Island National Seashore

News

Follow these links to more information on sea turtles or on the Sea Turtle Science and Recovery program at Padre Island National Seashore.

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2004

Kemp's ridley turtle nest found south of Big Shell, April 28, 2004

http://www.caller.com/ccct/kris_tv/article/0,1641,CCCT_995_2842498,00.html

http://www.tpwmagazine.com/archive/2004/mar/ed_2/http://www.tpwmagazine.com/archive/2004/mar/ed_2/

Cornell magazine article on Dr. Shaver

http://galveston.ssp.nmfs.gov/galv/turtles/headstart/ranchonuevo/rancho_nuevo.htm

Kemp's ridley news

2003

http://www2.nature.nps.gov/YearInReview/PDF/YIR2003_07_J.pdf

First Kemp's ridley nest of 2003

A Sea of Hopes, May 30, 2003

One Woman's Determination in Saving a Species, January 5, 2003

Turtle Nest Search Had a Slow Season, July 14, 2003

80 Baby Turtles Head for Sea, July 22, 2003

Sea Turtle Hatchlings Will Be Released Today, May 29, 2003

128 Loggerhead Babies Are Released at the National Seashore, September 24, 2003

Help Endangered Animals-Ridley Turtles

Other

Sea Turtle, Inc. article on Kemp's ridley sea turtles

	'Bye, bye, baby turtle,' Boy, 4, Says to Newborn---(Corpus Christi Caller-Times, September 24, 2003) "Only a few hatchlings from the largest and last clutch this year will likely survive, said Donna Shaver, 44, research biologist and station leader of the U.S. Geological Survey program at the Padre Island National Seashore."
	80 Baby Turtles Head for Sea---(Corpus Christi Caller-Times, July 22, 2003) "It was the first and only release of loggerheads this year, said U.S. Geological Survey's Donna Shaver, who oversaw the event."
	Sea Turtle Hatchlings Will Be Released Today---(Corpus Christi Caller-Times, May 29, 2003) "Small, green and driven by instinct, a clutch of Kemp's ridley sea turtles is expected to trek to the waters at the Padre Island National Seashore when they are released from an incubation box into the wild early today. "
	Turtle Nest Search Had a Slow Season---(Corpus Christi Caller-Times, July 14, 2003) "As the seasonal search for sea turtles and their nests along the Texas coast ends, Denise Eifler, one of more than 100 Padre Island National Seashore volunteers, said she will always remember the first Kemp's ridley sea turtle nest she found and the turtle that got away."
	A Sea of Hopes--Precious Kemp's ridley sea turtles begin their new lives in the sea with a little help from us (Corpus Christi Caller-Times, April 10, 2003) "About 100 people gathered Thursday to watch the release of 92 baby turtles, one step in a huge effort to save the endangered species. Only three or four of the 2-day-old turtles are expected to survive to adulthood, said Donna Shaver, research biologist and station leader of the U.S. Geological Survey program at the seashore. "
	Sea Turtle Hatchlings Will Be Released Today---(Corpus Christi Caller-Times, May 29, 2003) "Small, green and driven by instinct, a clutch of Kemp's ridley sea turtles is expected to trek to the waters at the Padre Island National Seashore when they are released from an incubation box into the wild early today. "
	First Kemp's Ridley Nest: 94 Eggs ---(Corpus Christi Caller-Times, April 10, 2003) "For only the 11th time in the history of Padre Island National Seashore's Head Start program, a Kemp's ridley sea turtle that had been tagged by the U.S. Geological Survey returned to the park to lay its eggs."
	One Woman's Determination is Saving a Species ---(Corpus Christi Caller-Times, January 5, 2003) "'Kemp's ridleys had vanished from Padre Island by 1978. With help, they have returned, and their future looks better than ever."
	Turtle Volunteers Honored for Efforts ---(Corpus Christi Caller-Times, July 21, 2002) "'We could not have done this without you," said Donna Shaver, geological survey station leader at the Padre Island research station. "We thank you from the bottom of our hearts.' This year was a record-breaking Kemp's ridley year with 37 nests being found on the Texas coast, 25 of which were on North Padre Island. The other nests were found on South Padre Island, Galveston Island, Quintana Beach, Matagorda Peninsula, Mustang Island and Boca Chica Beach. The last three nests are due to hatch within the next week. Once they hatch and the babies are set free, more than 1,000 Kemp's ridley sea turtles statewide will have made their way to the sea this year."
	Back From the Brink: An Endangered Sea Turtle is Recovering in Texas ---(Dallas Morning News, July 15, 2002) "The endangered Kemp's ridley sea turtle continues its slow return to the Texas Gulf of Mexico coast. So far this year, 37 nests have been sighted on Texas beaches – more than double the previous record of 16 for all of 1999, according to Donna Shaver, a marine biologist for the U.S. Geological Survey."
	Port Aransas Visitors See Ridleys Hatch Naturally ---(Corpus Christi Caller-Times, July 4, 2002) "Donna Shaver, station leader of the U.S. Geological Survey's Padre Island Field Research Station, said 35 nests of the Kemp's ridley, the world's most endangered turtle species, have been found along the Texas coast this year. At least 3,400 eggs have been retrieved or accounted for, not including Tuesday's hatchlings. There are only about 10,000 adult ridley sea turtles left worldwide."
	Turtle Quandary: Endangered Species Complicates Car Debate on Galveston Island ---(Houston Chronicle, July 2, 2002) "The turtles were just doing what turtles are programmed to do. It being their breeding season, they waddled ashore on Galveston Island in the early weeks of June, laid their eggs in the sand and then, presumably with nary a pang of maternal guilt, slipped back into the depths of the Gulf of Mexico. But these were no ordinary turtles, and this was no ordinary beach on which they chose to heed their primal urges. These were endangered Kemp's ridley sea turtles and, because there is no record of them ever nesting on the Upper Texas Coast, their visit was heralded as another sign the species is clawing its way back from the brink of extinction."
	Swim for Survival ---(Corpus Christi Caller-Times, June 14, 2002) "Thirty-two nests, containing 2,463 eggs - a record number of nests - have been found on Texas beaches this year, said Donna Shaver, U.S. Geological Survey station leader at the Padre Island Field Research Station."
	Texas Hosts Endangered Sea Turtles ---(Environment News Service, June 11, 2002) "Michael Mac, center director of the U.S. Geological Survey's Columbia Environmental Research Center added, "The long term research and monitoring efforts to restore a sustainable population of Kemp's ridley sea turtles pays off, as witnessed by the record number of nests this season. The dedication of scientists and the many partners makes this exceptional year possible.""
	With a Month Left in Nesting Season, Record 17 Ridley Turtle Nests Found May 19, 2002 ---(Corpus Christi Caller-Times, May 19, 2002) "A San Antonio science teacher and two volunteer Kemp's Ridley turtle patrollers found four separate nests Saturday bringing the total to 17 for the year - one more than the record set in 1999 - with a month to go in the nesting season. "We're pretty excited about it," said Donna Shaver, the station leader of the U.S. Geological Survey headquarters on Padre Island National Seashore, where two of the nests were found. "This seems to be a sign that things are going in the right direction."
	Searching the Seashore ---(Corpus Christi Caller-Times, March 29, 2002) "When a red 18-wheel tanker truck got stuck in the powdery sand of Padre Island National Seashore, a 10-ton bulldozer had to come and tug it loose."
	Endangered Turtle Dies of Illness ---(Corpus Christi Caller-Times, March 26, 2002) "A sick juvenile hawksbill turtle died late Sunday at the University of Texas Marine Science Center in Port Aransas despite efforts to save it."
	Donna Shaver Honored for Turtle-Rescue Work ---(Corpus Christi Caller-Times, February 26, 2002) "More than 20 years ago, Donna Shaver had never even seen the ocean. On Monday, she was one of nine winners at the Texas Coastal Treasurers 2002 Conference for her work to save sea turtles."
	U.S. Awards Endangered Turtle Program $95,000 More Annually ---(Corpus Christi Caller-Times, January 10, 2002) "For years the turtle protection program has fought for a more stable source of money, said Donna Shaver, station leader of the Padre Island Field Research Station. The park service money will pay staff researchers who had formerly been paid through grant money."
	Mutilated Sea Turtles Wash Up Between Matagorda and Padre Islands (Corpus Christi Caller-Times, November 1, 2001) "A dismembered and decapitated loggerhead sea turtle was found Wednesday on the beach near J.P. Luby Surf Park. It was the 14th endangered loggerhead discovered dead and mutilated along the South Texas coast since Friday."
	Biologists Plan to Release Baby Sea Turtles Today (Corpus Christi Caller-Times, July 4, 2001) "As many as 200 Kemp's ridley sea turtle hatchlings, from the last two nests found in the area this year, may be released today at Padre Island National Seashore. Biologists hope to begin releasing the turtles at 6:45 a.m. at the Malaquite Visitor Center. The release date depends on the activity of the nest, said Donna Shaver, station leader of the U.S. Geological Survey Padre Island Field Research Station."
	Federal Officials Release 106 Turtle Hatchlings (Corpus Christi Caller-Times, July 4, 2001) "Federal officials released 106 loggerhead sea turtle hatchlings Tuesday from the Padre Island National Seashore. About 145 people watched as the hatchlings made their way to the water at about 6:45 a.m., said Donna Shaver, station leader of the U.S. Geological Survey Padre Island Field Research Station."
	Assault on Padre (Austin American-Statesman, June 29, 2001) "But under a proposal the Navy is considering, amphibious assault vehicles would cut across the island park and the equally sensitive Laguna Madre estuary en route to war games on a 222,000-acre mainland training center. Shells from Navy ships would fly through the air above the park, heading toward the mainland."
	Texans Court Navy Bombs (San Antonio Express, June 23, 2001) "Remote ranchland along the Gulf Coast south of Kingsville is being offered as an alternative bombing and training site for the Navy when it abandons a controversial range near Puerto Rico in 2003, Navy and Texas officials said Friday."
	Bombs vs. Nature (Corpus Christi Caller-Times frontpage above the fold!, June 23, 2001) "Pristine seashore, endangered turtles and sandy dunes could come face to face with amphibious vehicles and bombs."
	Babies Crawl to New Home (Corpus Christi Caller-Times frontpage above the fold!, June 16, 2001) "Endangered Kemp's ridleys are released..."
	Two Kemp's Ridley Nests Found on North Padre (Dallas Morning News, May 24, 2001) "Once a common springtime site along Texas' Gulf Coast beaches, the turtles nearly died out as they got caught in trawler's nets or were gathered by the bag load for their supposed aphrodisiac powers. The adult population of Kemp's ridley turtles reached a low of 1,100 in 1985. Since then, their numbers have grown to about 9,000, but they remain the most endangered of the sea turtle species."
	2 Kemp's Ridley Nests Found (Corpus Christi Caller-Times, May 23, 2001) "The nests were the fourth and fifth Kemp's ridley nests found this season in the United States. All five have been found along the Texas coast, said Donna Shaver, station leader of the U.S. Geological Survey Padre Island Field Research Station."
	Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtles Are Shell Oil's Centerfold---April 2001. Featured by the Shell Marine Habitat Program are Kemp's ridley sea turtles and the USGS research and monitoring program; attempts to establish a secondary nesting colony in south Texas. The Shell Oil Foundation and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation partnered in 1998 to provide multiyear funds for natural resource conservation projects in the Gulf of Mexico. A challenge grant was awarded to the USGS for their critical role in protecting, conserving and enhancing the Gulf's ecosystem through sea turtle restoration efforts.
	For Start of 2001 Turtle Patrol Season (North Padre Island Full Moon, March 2001)
	Center Releases 39 Turtles Back Into The Wild (Corpus Christi Caller-Times, March 16, 2001) "This is one of the largest cold-stunning cases documented on the Texas coast in the last 20 years," said Donna Shaver, coordinator for the Texas Sea Turtle Stranding and Salvage Network.
	Habitats Would Face Slight Changes (Corpus Christi Caller-Times, February 25, 2001)
	Volunteers Needed to Help Protect Rare Sea Turtle Nests (Corpus Christi Caller-Times, November 8, 2001)
	2000 Was A Tough Year For Turtles (Corpus Christi Caller-Times, January 27, 2001)
	50 Turtles Stunned By Cold Water Come Ashore (Corpus Christi Caller-Times, January 9, 2001)
	Cold Snap Traps Threatened Turtles (Corpus Christi Caller-Times, December 16, 2000)
	Twelve Nests Yield 942 Kemp's Ridley Turtles (Corpus Christi Caller-Times, September 15, 2000)
	Press Conference, Malaquite Beach Visitor's Center July 7 (USGS and Padre Island National Seashore NPS) (July 2000)
	"Take a Walk on the Wild Side"---Dateline MSNBC to air Monday, July 3; a special ‘Dateline Animal Kingdom.’ (July 2000)
	Texas Turtles on TV---"Southern Experience" to air June 6 (7:00pm EDT), June 8 (12:30pm EDT), and June 11 (1:30pm EDT). Produced by Parallax Productions, Inc. of Mobile, AL to air on Outdoor Channel.
	Sea Turtles Seen Across The Nation (May 2000)
	Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtles Begin Nesting (April 2000)
	TPWD To Protect Sea Turtles During Nesting Season (March 2000)
	Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle Strandings and Mortality (January 2000)
	Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtles Return to Padre Island National Seashore (December 1999)

Back to 2004 Back to 2003 Back to Other

News

80 Baby Turtles Head for Sea---(Corpus Christi Caller-Times, July 22, 2003) "It was the first and only release of loggerheads this year, said U.S. Geological Survey's Donna Shaver, who oversaw the event."

First Kemp's Ridley Nest: 94 Eggs ---(Corpus Christi Caller-Times, April 10, 2003) "For only the 11th time in the history of Padre Island National Seashore's Head Start program, a Kemp's ridley sea turtle that had been tagged by the U.S. Geological Survey returned to the park to lay its eggs."

One Woman's Determination is Saving a Species ---(Corpus Christi Caller-Times, January 5, 2003) "'Kemp's ridleys had vanished from Padre Island by 1978. With help, they have returned, and their future looks better than ever."

Swim for Survival ---(Corpus Christi Caller-Times, June 14, 2002) "Thirty-two nests, containing 2,463 eggs - a record number of nests - have been found on Texas beaches this year, said Donna Shaver, U.S. Geological Survey station leader at the Padre Island Field Research Station."

Searching the Seashore ---(Corpus Christi Caller-Times, March 29, 2002) "When a red 18-wheel tanker truck got stuck in the powdery sand of Padre Island National Seashore, a 10-ton bulldozer had to come and tug it loose."

Endangered Turtle Dies of Illness ---(Corpus Christi Caller-Times, March 26, 2002) "A sick juvenile hawksbill turtle died late Sunday at the University of Texas Marine Science Center in Port Aransas despite efforts to save it."

Donna Shaver Honored for Turtle-Rescue Work ---(Corpus Christi Caller-Times, February 26, 2002) "More than 20 years ago, Donna Shaver had never even seen the ocean. On Monday, she was one of nine winners at the Texas Coastal Treasurers 2002 Conference for her work to save sea turtles."

Texans Court Navy Bombs (San Antonio Express, June 23, 2001) "Remote ranchland along the Gulf Coast south of Kingsville is being offered as an alternative bombing and training site for the Navy when it abandons a controversial range near Puerto Rico in 2003, Navy and Texas officials said Friday."

Bombs vs. Nature (Corpus Christi Caller-Times frontpage above the fold!, June 23, 2001) "Pristine seashore, endangered turtles and sandy dunes could come face to face with amphibious vehicles and bombs."

Babies Crawl to New Home (Corpus Christi Caller-Times frontpage above the fold!, June 16, 2001) "Endangered Kemp's ridleys are released..."

For Start of 2001 Turtle Patrol Season (North Padre Island Full Moon, March 2001)

Center Releases 39 Turtles Back Into The Wild (Corpus Christi Caller-Times, March 16, 2001) "This is one of the largest cold-stunning cases documented on the Texas coast in the last 20 years," said Donna Shaver, coordinator for the Texas Sea Turtle Stranding and Salvage Network.

Habitats Would Face Slight Changes (Corpus Christi Caller-Times, February 25, 2001)

Volunteers Needed to Help Protect Rare Sea Turtle Nests (Corpus Christi Caller-Times, November 8, 2001)

2000 Was A Tough Year For Turtles (Corpus Christi Caller-Times, January 27, 2001)

50 Turtles Stunned By Cold Water Come Ashore (Corpus Christi Caller-Times, January 9, 2001)

Cold Snap Traps Threatened Turtles (Corpus Christi Caller-Times, December 16, 2000)

Twelve Nests Yield 942 Kemp's Ridley Turtles (Corpus Christi Caller-Times, September 15, 2000)

Press Conference, Malaquite Beach Visitor's Center July 7 (USGS and Padre Island National Seashore NPS) (July 2000)

"Take a Walk on the Wild Side"---Dateline MSNBC to air Monday, July 3; a special ‘Dateline Animal Kingdom.’ (July 2000)

Texas Turtles on TV---"Southern Experience" to air June 6 (7:00pm EDT), June 8 (12:30pm EDT), and June 11 (1:30pm EDT). Produced by Parallax Productions, Inc. of Mobile, AL to air on Outdoor Channel.

Sea Turtles Seen Across The Nation (May 2000)

Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtles Begin Nesting (April 2000)

TPWD To Protect Sea Turtles During Nesting Season (March 2000)

Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle Strandings and Mortality (January 2000)

Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtles Return to Padre Island National Seashore (December 1999)