Texas has record 236 Kemp’s ridley turtle nests on coast

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas (AP) - Experts say Texas has broken its 2012 record for Kemp’s ridley sea turtle nests located on the state’s coastline with the current number 236 and counting.

A National Park Service statement Wednesday on Facebook says it’s the peak of nesting season and the current figure tops the previous record of 209 nests found in Texas five years ago.

Authorities say 43 Kemp’s ridley nests were located Tuesday statewide, including 28 at Padre Island National Seashore at Corpus Christi.

National Park Service officials say nesting could continue through mid-July. Beachgoers are urged to use caution and not disturb the turtles.

Padre Island National Seashore, according to its website, is the longest stretch of undeveloped barrier island in the world, protecting 70 miles of coastline, dunes, prairies and wind tidal flats.

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Online:

https://www.nps.gov/pais/index.htm