Olive Ridley Turtle Lays Eggs on California Beach for 1st Time as El Niño Warms Pacific
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Sep 23
Olive Ridley Turtle Lays Eggs on California Beach for 1st Time as El Niño Warms Pacific
3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Sep 23
Summary
Sept. 16 brought the first recorded sea turtle nesting on the U.S. West Coast, when an olive ridley laid eggs near Seal Beach, about 30 miles south of downtown Los Angeles.
Scientists said the nesting reflects years of warming off the West Coast, with a major El Niño intensifying Pacific temperatures and pulling tropical species north.
Southern California is expected to be a hotspot for more unusual marine sightings because of its proximity to warmer Mexican waters and favorable currents, researchers said.
Already this year, residents have reported hammerhead sharks and two whale sharks, and scientists say yellow-bellied sea snakes, wahoo and dorado could also appear.