A sea turtle currently nesting on a Southern California beach is the first known sea turtle on record to nest naturally anywhere on the West Coast, according to NOAA Fisheries.
An olive ridley sea turtle was spotted digging a nest and laying eggs near Seal Beach in Orange County on Sept. 16. Three days later, a sea turtle was also spotted a few miles south near the Huntington Beach Pier. Wildlife officials have not determined if the sightings involved two different sea turtles or the same one.
Sea turtles are protected under the Endangered Species Act. Wildlife experts will protect the local nest throughout the incubation period. Beachgoers are advised to keep a safe distance from the nest and not disturb the fencing, signage or turtles…