Olive ridley sea turtles laid eggs on two Southern California beaches this month, near Seal Beach on Sept. 16 and at Huntington Beach on Sept. 19. NOAA Fisheries’ West Coast region says it is the first documented natural nesting by any sea turtle species on the U.S. West Coast, according to the Associated Press (via KSAT), the Los Angeles Times (opens in new tab), CNN (opens in new tab), and The Guardian (opens in new tab).
Scientists later concluded that two different females made the nests, after comparing the patterns of their shells and barnacles, the reports said. Both nest sites have been fenced off for protection.
Olive ridleys normally nest much farther south, in Mexico and Central America. NOAA and aquarium biologists quoted in the coverage said nobody yet knows why these turtles nested so far north. Possible explanations they raised include warmer coastal waters, El Niño effects, or animals pushed off course by storms.
The eggs typically take 45 to 60 days to incubate. Officials warned that upcoming high tides and hurricane-driven swells could wash the nests away.
The species is protected under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. An aquarium veterinarian quoted by the Guardian (opens in new tab) advised people to stay at least 50 feet away, and beachgoers are asked to report sightings to lifeguards or NOAA’s stranding hotline.