Olive ridley sea turtle makes first documented West Coast nesting

An olive ridley sea turtle has made wildlife history by laying eggs on the U.S. West Coast, marking the first documented natural nesting of any sea turtle species in the region. The sightings occurred in Orange County, California, with the first nest discovered near Seal Beach on September 16 and a second near the Huntington Beach Pier on September 19.

Wildlife officials and NOAA Fisheries are monitoring the sites, which have been fenced off to protect the eggs. Each nest is estimated to contain between 50 and 100 eggs, with an incubation period typically lasting 45 to 60 days. Experts noted the turtle exhibited unusual behavior by nesting during the day near sunset, rather than the typical nighttime pattern.

While olive ridley sea turtles are found in tropical waters such as Mexico and Central America, they are rarely seen this far north. Scientists believe unusually warm ocean waters driven by a strong El Niño pattern may have drawn the species into Southern California waters.