Data from the mid to late 1990's suggest that through conservation efforts of Mexico and the United States, the decline of the Kemp's ridley sea turtle has stopped, and an increase in nesting females is being documented. Entrance to the field station at the nesting beach at Rancho Nuevo, Tamaulipas, Mexico. It was demolished by Hurricane Gilbert in 1988. Four-wheelers are used to patrol the beach at Rancho Nuevo in search of nests and nesting females. Biologist has found a nesting female.
Biologists measure length and width of all observed turtles.
If the biologist arrives before the female has laid her eggs, they are collected in plastic mesh bags for transport back to the base station hatchery. Kemp's ridley returning to the water after nesting. Some turtles nest 2-3 times during a season, so this turtle may be back later. Some turtles lay their eggs before biologists arrive. The location of their nest is given away by their tracks on the beach.