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Sea turtle nest found in Ventura is the 3rd-ever confirmed on the West Coast
A rare sea turtle nest has been discovered in Ventura. It’s only the third ever olive ridley sea turtle nest found in Southern California.
KABC
ByRiley Carroll
Tuesday, November 3, 2026 8:39PM
VENTURA, Calif. (KABC) –For only the third time ever, a rare sea turtle nest has been found on the West Coast. Experts believe this is all because of El Niño conditions.
The nest of olive ridley sea turtle eggs, only the third documented case along the Southern California shoreline, was found Sunday on the beach near the Ventura Pier.
“It’s neat and beautiful to see them, but it’s concerning whether they’ll make it or not because this is not their normal habitat,” said Ventura resident Natalie Sieman.
Just a few weeks ago, two other nests were discovered in Huntington and Seal beaches. The eggs from those clutches were transferred to the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach for safe incubation.
A rare olive ridley sea turtle has laid eggs in Orange County, marking the first documented nesting of its kind on the West Coast.
Fish and wildlife experts say the El Niño conditions are what’s causing the warmer water, and thus bringing sea turtles to the shore.
The incubation period for the eggs is anywhere from 45-60 days, which could mean a New Year’s Day hatching.
Locals say if you want to visit, be respectful.
“Stay away, pay attention to the rules. And let them do what they’re doing because they may not make it. It’s their space now, not yours,” Sieman said.
Eggs from two endangered olive ridley sea turtle nests discovered on Orange County beaches were moved to the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach.
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Even though the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reports only 1 in 1,000 sea turtle hatchlings survive into adulthood, residents in Ventura are hoping these beat the odds.
The olive ridley sea turtle is protected under the Endangered Species Act, so interfering with the nests can result in up to $50,000 worth of fines or even prison time.
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