World’s smallest sea turtle reappars in Louisiana after 75 years

After being dismissed as unviable for sea turtle life a long time in the past, the Chandeleur Islands, off the coast of New Orleans, Louisiana, have seen the world’s most endangered turtles hatch once more.

An area restoration company was surveying birds when crew members noticed what seemed to be turtle tracks. Researchers started weekly visits to the islands to research additional.

When nesting season kicked off, they have been delighted to see extra tracks.

“There was some high-fiving occurring,” says Matthew Weigel from the Louisiana Division of Wildlife and Fisheries. Weigel and Todd Baker of the Louisiana Coastal Restoration and Safety Authority adopted the tracks, discovering two new child Kemp Ridley turtles.

The Kemp Ridley is the smallest sea turtle on the planet, measuring about 60-to-70 centimetres when absolutely grown.

One small crawl for turtle, one big leap for turtle-kind

The invention marks the primary time Kemp Ridleys have hatched within the Chandeleur waters in 75 years.

“Louisiana was largely written off as a nesting spot for sea turtles a long time in the past, however this dedication demonstrates why barrier island restoration is so necessary,” notes Chip Kline, chairman of the Louisiana Coastal Restoration and Safety Authority in a press launch.

Hatching season takes place throughout June and July, and monitoring of the waters is ongoing for extra fledgling sea turtles.