By ARABELLA SERRATA
Staff Writer
After a tropical storm flooded their turtle corral, Sea Turtle Inc. sprang into action to drain the water and protect the unhatched turtles from serious damage. Partnering with the South Padre Island Public Works Department, they worked tirelessly to mitigate the incident’s impact.
Spectrum Local News reported on the storm, stating, “Alberto was the first named storm of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season. It formed in the western Gulf of Mexico on June 19, becoming a tropical storm. It made landfall in northeastern Mexico on June 20 with max winds of 45 mph, bringing heavy rain, coastal flooding, and wind impacts to northern Mexico and South Texas.” The heavy rainfall overwhelmed the turtle corrals, requiring immediate intervention from Sea Turtle Inc.
At 3 a.m., Sea Turtle Inc. staff braved the storm to save the turtle corral “before it was too late.” Wendy Knight, CEO of Sea Turtle Inc., emphasized the staff’s dedication, saying, “Our team is on duty 24/7.” Their constant vigilance enabled them to respond quickly and effectively to the emergency.
“A corral is a protected nesting area designed to keep turtle eggs safe from predators, vehicles, and other threats,” explained Knight. South Padre Island serves as a critical nesting beach where female sea turtles lay their eggs. These eggs typically hatch within the enclosure before the hatchlings are released into the ocean. However, flooding can disrupt this process, preventing essential gas exchange and potentially killing the turtles before they hatch.
The team managed to remove much of the water flooding the nests, working with shovels and buckets until dawn. Knight called on Jon Wilson, Assistant Public Works Director of SPI, to bring additional equipment, speeding up the rescue efforts.
“It’s difficult to fully prepare for storms, as they can easily spiral out of control,” said Knight. “The corral is secure for normal weather, but storms pose significant challenges.” To better prepare for future storms, a waterflow line has been installed to drain excess water, and a sand wall now acts as a dune to prevent water from entering the corral.
Sea Turtle Inc. expressed gratitude to the Public Works Department on their official Facebook page, stating, “Thank you to the City of South Padre Island and our Public Works Department for helping us secure and save thousands of eggs from the rising water. In the midst of this emergency, six additional nests hatched, and more than 380 hatchlings were safely released. Follow us as we continue to respond to this challenging nesting season.”