Two olive ridley sea turtles nest on California beaches for the first time in recorded history

From the Newshound archive · first published 24 September 2026.

Scientists have confirmed that two olive ridley sea turtles came ashore on southern California beaches this month to lay eggs, an event with no precedent in recorded history for any sea turtle species along the US West Coast. The first nest turned up near Seal Beach on 16 September; a second turtle deposited eggs near the Huntington Beach Pier on 19 September. NOAA determined the two were different animals after examining shell shapes and barnacle patterns. Both sites have been fenced off as officials try to understand what pushed the turtles hundreds of miles north of their usual Mexican and Central American nesting grounds.

NOAA's Justin Viezbicke described the reason for the northward shift as the 'million dollar question', with scientists debating whether the nesting represents an emerging trend or a one-off event.

Huntington Beach fire chief Trevor McDonald said lifeguards initially feared the turtle was unwell — 'we just don't see this very often' — before it proceeded to lay eggs in front of them.