A nesting Kemp's ridley sea turtle at South
Padre Island. (Photo: Jessica Lavash)
Five of the world’s seven sea turtle species can be found in the Gulf. The region is the only major habitat for adult Kemp’s ridley sea turtles,
which are the most endangered species of sea turtles. When sea turtles
surface in oil-covered water, they can breathe in the oil vapors and
residues, which can get into their lungs and cause major respiratory
problems. Oil can get into the animals’ eyes, potentially causing damage
to vision. If oil gets into sea turtles' mouths and they ingest it, it
can potentially damage their internal organs.
This
oil spill happened at the beginning of the breeding season, when adult
Kemp’s ridleys had started to migrate across the Gulf to critical
breeding beaches near the Texas/Mexico border. Hatchling and juvenile
turtles are small enough that thick oil may prevent them from surfacing
to breathe. These young turtles drift in currents and will congregate in
the same areas where spilled oil c, amplifying the risks they
face. 
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