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Kemp’s ridley sea turtles produced 697 documented nests along the Texas coast in 2026, a 55% rise from the previous year. The National Park Service, US Fish and Wildlife Service and partners counted 449 nests in 2025. Conservation efforts include egg incubation and hatchling releases at Padre Island National Seashore. The NPS says some nesting turtles can be traced in part to reintroduction work that began in 1978, with tagged turtles first returning to nest in 1996.

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00:00Wildlife officials recorded 55% more Kemp's Ridley sea turtle nests along the Texas coast
00:05in 2026. That's encouraging news for the world's most endangered sea turtle.
00:11Officials counted 697 nests, following decades of work to help the species recover.
00:17But the comeback has been a long time coming. Habitat loss, egg collection,
00:21and accidental capture in fishing nets pushed these turtles toward extinction.
00:25A restoration effort began in 1978, moving eggs from Mexico to Padre Island in Texas.
00:32Hatchlings were released on the beach so they could eventually return there to nest.
00:36The first tagged turtles returned in 1996. The National Park Service says some turtles
00:42nesting this year descend from those reintroduced animals. Texas wildlife officials also credit
00:48escape systems in shrimp nets for helping turtles survive. The nesting gains show how decades of
00:53protection can help a species recover. Disclosure. This video contains stock footage and content
00:58created or enhanced using AI-assisted tools.

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