Padre Island National Seashore cancels popular turtle release events for the summer Events drew up to 1,200 spectators, park says
A Kemp's Ridley sea turtle at Padre Island National Seashore. (NPS)
SAN ANTONIO – The Padre Island National Seashore will not hold public turtle releases, which were known to attract up to 1,200 spectators, this summer due to the pandemic .
The National Park Service announced Wednesday that the events at the seashore will be suspended in accordance with social distancing guidelines, according to a news release.
“These public release events have become increasingly popular and regularly draw crowds between 700 and 1,200 participants,” the release states.
‘I was shocked’: Port Aransas photographer captured images of a crowded beach. Then came the hate mail
During the events, Kemp’s Ridley sea turtles, the most endangered of all sea turtle species, are released to the gulf.
NPS said it will resume the releases “when conditions and guidance allow." Instead, the park will film the releases and post the videos on Facebook .
The Padre Island National Seashore has resumed overnight camping as Gov. Greg Abbott has allowed beaches to reopen.
Read also ‘They were scared and I don’t blame them’: San Antonio family witnesses South Padre Island condo fire
More than 100 people arrested at Jeep Weekend on Bolivar peninsula as Texas beaches reopen
Official: Two people shot at Jeep Weekend at Texas beach
Copyright 2020 by KSAT - All rights reserved.
About the Author Rebecca Salinas headshot
Rebecca Salinas is an Executive Producer at KSAT 12 News. A San Antonio native, Rebecca is an award-winning journalist who joined KSAT in 2019.
Former Windcrest Police Chief Drops Lawsuit Against City ▶ 0:30
Former Windcrest Police Chief Drops Lawsuit Against City
'I'm sad all the time': SA man worries for loved ones in Iran ▶ 0:51
'I'm sad all the time': SA man worries for loved ones in Iran
Critics say Texas social studies revamp would narrow students' view ▶ 0:59
Critics say Texas social studies revamp would narrow students' view
Floresville 11-year-old accordionist advances to finals of Texas Folklife’s Big Squeeze competition ▶ 0:59
Floresville 11-year-old accordionist advances to finals of Texas Folklife’s Big Squeeze competition
West Side neighborhood motorcycle crash ends in flames; residents urge need for speed bumps ▶ 1:03
West Side neighborhood motorcycle crash ends in flames; residents urge need for speed bumps
Fiesta de los Reyes May Add $5 Entry Fee ▶ 0:48
Fiesta de los Reyes May Add $5 Entry Fee
Thieves smash through 8-liner business wall to reach ATM after deputies' raid. ▶ 1:47
Thieves smash through 8-liner business wall to reach ATM after deputies' raid.
Investigation underway after fatal South Side shooting, SAPD says ▶ 0:52
Investigation underway after fatal South Side shooting, SAPD says
Bexar County courtroom tensions boil over in double-murder case ▶ 1:45
Bexar County courtroom tensions boil over in double-murder case
Tradición y color: más de 70 años celebrando Fiesta en San Antonio ▶ 2:24
Tradición y color: más de 70 años celebrando Fiesta en San Antonio
WATCH: Waymo car goes wrong way in Alamo Heights school zone, concerns parents ▶ 0:33
WATCH: Waymo car goes wrong way in Alamo Heights school zone, concerns parents
KSAT Investigates: Agencies tight-lipped after teacher shot at Comal County school ▶ 1:22
KSAT Investigates: Agencies tight-lipped after teacher shot at Comal County school
A few showers for your morning commute ▶ 0:22
A few showers for your morning commute
Missions stadium redevelopment moves one step closer ▶ 1:59
Missions stadium redevelopment moves one step closer
Customers say mariachi group is a no-show after bookings ▶ 2:30
Customers say mariachi group is a no-show after bookings
Complaints mount against Cibolo animal services officer after dog’s death ▶ 0:46
Complaints mount against Cibolo animal services officer after dog’s death
What we know so far about the Comal County high school shooting ▶ 1:53
What we know so far about the Comal County high school shooting
JCB plant in San Antonio set to be the largest worldwide ▶ 0:56
JCB plant in San Antonio set to be the largest worldwide
What we know about the shooting at Hill Country College Prep HS ▶ 1:28
What we know about the shooting at Hill Country College Prep HS
15 year old student shoots a teacher then takes his own life ▶ 1:56
15 year old student shoots a teacher then takes his own life
No active threat on campus at Hill Country Prep High School in Bulverde ▶ 1:22
No active threat on campus at Hill Country Prep High School in Bulverde
City of San Antonio says Ackerman Road dip under Kirby’s jurisdiction ▶ 1:26
City of San Antonio says Ackerman Road dip under Kirby’s jurisdiction
Atascosa County fire seems like a bad case of déjà vu ▶ 1:28
Atascosa County fire seems like a bad case of déjà vu
New SNAP restrictions affecting some stores ▶ 1:05
New SNAP restrictions affecting some stores
Proposed border wall threatens prehistoric cave art ▶ 1:10
Proposed border wall threatens prehistoric cave art
Previous photo Next photo