Rolf Nussbaumer / Kemp's ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys kempii), baby turtle walking towards sea, South Padre Island, South Texas, USA. July

Doug Perrine / Kemp's ridley turtle {Lepidochelys kempii} hatchlings head for the sea after release from protected nests, Rancho Nuevo, Gulf of Mexico, Mexico 2002

Doug Perrine / Corral of nests of Kemp's ridley turtle {Lepidochelys kempii} each nest is fenced and covered to protect from predators and flies, Rancho Nuevo, Gulf of Mexico, Mexico 2002

Sandesh Kadur / Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle (Lepidochelys kempii) digging a nest in sand beach. Rancho Nuevo, Tamaulipas, Mexico, June.

Claudio Contreras / Kemp's ridley turtle (Lepidochelys kempii) two hatchlings on beach, La Pesca Beach, Tamaulipas, northeast Mexico, July

Doug Perrine / Kemp's ridley turtle hatchling in open sea off nesting beach {Lepidochelys kempii} Gulf of Mexico, Mexico 2002

Doug Perrine / Scientist examines Kemp's ridley turtle hatchlings{Lepidochelys kempii} deciding which are for immediate release or extended care, Rancho Nuevo, Gulf of Mexico, Mexico 2002

Doug Perrine / Female Kemp's ridley turtle {Lepidochelys kempii} returns to sea after laying eggs on beach, Rancho Nuevo, Gulf of Mexico, Mexico 2002

Doug Perrine / Female Kemp's ridley turtle {Lepidochelys kempii} covers nest after laying eggs on beach, Rancho Nuevo, Gulf of Mexico, Mexico 2002

Doug Perrine / Corral of nests of Kemp's ridley turtle {Lepidochelys kempii} each nest is fenced and covered to protect from predators and flies, Rancho Nuevo, Gulf of Mexico, Mexico 2002

Doug Perrine / Kemp's ridley turtle {Lepidochelys kempii} swimming, captive, Gulf of Mexico, Mexico 2002

Doug Perrine / Kemp's ridley turtle {Lepidochelys kempii} hatchling heads for the sea after release from protected nests, Rancho Nuevo, Gulf of Mexico, Mexico 2002