CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — The first sea turtle release of the year was today and the Texas Sealife Center started off with a bang!
They released nine green sea turtles that hung around a little longer after January's freeze.
Spring has also brought us into turtle nesting season, which means beachgoers will need to be extra mindful when they hit the sand.
"This is a very important time, especially for the Kemp's ridley sea turtle, those are the guys that are nesting - or the girls -- that are nesting right now and so the biggest thing is to be aware,” said Veterinarian and Director for the Texas Sealife Center Tim Tristan. “Watch for turtle tracks, drive the speed limit, on the beach because you never know when a turtle might be coming up to nest."
Turtle nesting season will run through June.
Below is the story before the update.
The Texas Sealife Center will release around nine green sea turtles this Sunday at 11:00 a.m. at mile marker 216 in front on the Wyndham CC Resort on North Padre Island.
The turtles first came to the Center during January's cold stun event and hung around a little while longer than their counterparts to receive some extra love and care while the Spring season brought warmer waters to the Coastal Bend.
"There were a couple that were on medications for wounds that have since healed and others were just small, so we wanted to wait until we were sure that the water was going to stay warm," said a TSC representative.
The Center initially began rehabilitating more than 80 cold-stunned sea turtles after January's freeze. They were released after showing that they were ready and eager to get back out into the water.
You can find pictures of the private release here:
The Texas Sealife Center released 62 turtles back into the water after January's cold-stunning event. This is what it looked like:
More from 3News on KIIITV.com:
- WATCH: 3NEWS Women's History Month Panel 2024
- Ramón Ayala farewell tour will stop in Corpus Christi in September
- Search for missing A&M-CC student Caleb Harris expands as CCPD brings in Dive and Recovery Team
- Islanders Women's Basketball celebrates at NCAA selection show watch party
- Concerns mount over safety after hit-and-run on SPID frontage road
- RECAP: 'Be a Hero' Blood Drive at KIII-TV3 Studios
- Corpus Christi mother makes emotional plea following son's death caused by wrong way intoxicated driver
- An update on the Tesla lithium plant in Robstown
Subscribe to our YouTube channel for your daily news and exclusive extended interviews.
Do you have a news tip? Tell 3!
Email tell3@kiiitv.com so we can get in touch with you about your story should we have questions or need more information. We realize some stories are sensitive in nature. Let us know if you'd like to remain anonymous.
