Of the seven sea turtle species worldwide, the Kemps ridley (Lepidochelys kempii) is the most endangered.  It was placed on the endangered species list in 1970 and is currently listed as “critically endangered”.  This species’ decline has largely been due to harvesting of adult turtles and their eggs, as well as incidental capture in commercial fishing operations. 

This study is monitoring the movements of nesting Kemps ridley turtles using satellite telemetry to determine where they go after they have completed nesting for the year. Fourteen satellite transmitters were attached to nesting females leaving the nesting beaches in 2010 and 2011.  The Ulysses S. Seal Conservation Grant Program helped fund satellite transmitters and associated supplies for this study.  The project was championed by Allan Maguire, Aquariums Supervisor at the Minnesota Zoo.