Padre Island National Seashore

How to Report Sea Turtles on the Beach

If you are walking or driving on the beach, here is a great way that you can help save sea turtles. Please examine photographs on this website of nesting Kemp’s ridley turtles (two feet long) and Kemp’s ridley tracks (two feet wide) and look for both while you are on the beach between April and mid-July. From late-May through August, look for hatchlings (2 inches long) emerging from previously undetected nests.

If you see a large sea turtle crawling out of the water, laying eggs, or returning to the sea; nesting sea turtle tracks; or tiny hatchlings emerging from a nest and crawling to the sea, please IMMEDIATELY report the sighting to the appropriate area coordinator listed below. If you are unable to call, please immediately report the observation to a passing turtle patroller or local law enforcement officer.

It is essential that you report these observations immediately so that we can arrive as quickly as possible to protect the turtles and eggs. Also, please report the nesting turtle as soon as you see her, so that biologists can try to get to the site to examine her before she re-enters the sea. However, please do not rush up to the nesting turtle while she is crawling up the beach to select a nest site or you may frighten her back into the water.

Things that you should also do to help with these observations include:

	Protect the nesting turtle and hatchlings from passing traffic and anyone that might harass them. If necessary, ask motorists to take another route to avoid damage to the turtles or nests.
	Allow the turtle to nest undisturbed.
	After the nesting turtle has started to lay the eggs or when she is returning to the water, photograph or video her and examine her for tags. Photograph or video the hatchlings as they are emerging from the nest or crawling towards the water.
	Mark where the turtle nested or where the hatchlings emerged from.
	Let the turtles enter the surf if they are crawling towards it, but do not place them in the water or touch them.
	If possible, stay at the site until assistance arrives.

Your assistance is greatly appreciated and could make all the difference in ensuring the survivorship of these endangered turtles.

Follow the Contact Info link here or above to find the nearest sea turtle professional in your area to which to report nesting or stranded sea turtles.