Scientists at Texas A&M-Galveston are searching the beaches looking for sea turtle tracks. The Kemp's ridley sea turtle population -- after a brief comeback -- seems to be disappearing again.
Marine biologist Dr. Chris Marshall says the Kemp's ridley was one of the first listed on the federal endangered species list.
“In the 40s there were like 40,000 nests,” Marshall says, “and by the time we get into the 60s and 70s there were less than 900 nests.”
The sea turtle population was growing until about 2010. It has seen a steep decline since.
“Then we actually had a drastic decline in their population and the last couple of years the population has been up and down, so people are really concerned again,” he says. “There's a new concerted effort to really conserve these animals.”