Historic olive ridley nests in Seal Beach and Huntington Beach moved for protection
Wildlife officials relocated more than 200 olive ridley sea turtle eggs from two Orange County beaches Friday morning as hazardous surf threatened to wash away the historic nests.
First-known West Coast nesting event
Officials recovered 104 eggs from Seal Beach and about 100 more from Huntington Beach, according to wildlife officials. The nests are considered the first documented natural nesting by olive ridley sea turtles on the U.S. West Coast, far north of the species’ typical nesting range.
The eggs were taken to the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach, where they are being kept in a temperature-controlled incubation environment.
Surf prompted the rescue
The move came as swells associated with Hurricane Polo, along with high astronomical tides, created a significant risk of erosion and flooding along the Southern California coast.
If the eggs are viable, officials say they could hatch in roughly 45 to 60 days. Hatchlings would then be released into the ocean under the supervision of wildlife specialists.
Sources: KCRA and Los Angeles Times.
