- Photo courtesy of debordieukazette.blogspot.com
Happy 4th! North Padre Island National Seashore released more turtle hatchlings this morning, and gave a short educational program at the visitors deck.
To see the newly hatched Kemp’s ridley sea turtles: Kemp’s ridley eggs are just starting to hatch, and the hatching process can take several days. The exact dates of the releases depend on how quickly the eggs hatch, and how the hatchlings become ready for release. It’s all up to the hatchlings. The park usually does not know that they will have a release until the day before.
Public releases are held starting at 6:45 a.m. on the beach in front of the Malaquite Visitor Center at Padre Island National Seashore on North Padre Island. Call the Hatchling Hotline at (361)949-7163 for the latest information on the release oer visit their website at www.nps.gov/pais for the projected release dates. The nesting season could continue for three more weeks.
If you get up early to enjoy the turtle releases, just don’t come back to the national seashore with your fireworks, firecrackers, or sparklers. The park announced that those items are prohibited on park lands and are subject to seizure. If you want to enjoy fireworks, Padre Island is having their own second annual display on the main canal by Three Fathoms Bank. Last year we could see the display all the way from the ‘Bluff, so enjoy the display tonight!! Happy 4th!
