National Parks Traveler Podcast | Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtles

National Parks Traveler Podcast | Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtles

Author: Kurt Repanshek January 25, 2026 Duration: 52:09

What is the fate of the critically endangered Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle?  This smallest of the sea turtle species glides among the sea grasses and coral reefs of the Gulf of Mexico, and nests predominantly along the shores of Mexico, with a growing number of turtles nesting on Padre Island National Seashore in Texas.


Hopes for this sea turtle's recovery weigh heavily on the national seashore's programs and budgeting, which are also threatened and endangered. Dr. Donna Shaver, one of the world's foremost sea turtle experts, nurtured the seashore's sea turtle science program for the past 22 years. However, for the past five years she's been battling to save the program, and her position, at Padre Island National Seashore.

 
National Park Service officials would not allow us to discuss the plight of the Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle with Dr. Shaver. Instead, the Traveler's Lynn Riddick talks this week with research scientist Nathan Putman. He's involved in studies of the Kemp's Ridley to understand more about this intriguing species.


There's a world of stories waiting beyond the park entrance sign, and the National Parks Traveler Podcast is your audio guide to them. Led by Kurt Repanshek, this series goes deeper than trail maps and visitor statistics. It connects the natural wonder you experience firsthand with the crucial, often unseen work happening behind the scenes-the science informing conservation, the cultural histories embedded in the landscape, and the policy decisions that will shape these places for future generations. As the audio companion to the editorially independent nonprofit media organization, this podcast delivers a thoughtful blend of on-the-ground reports, interviews with researchers and park staff, and nuanced discussions about the challenges and triumphs in managing protected areas. You'll hear the sounds of the parks and the voices of the people dedicated to them. Each episode is an invitation to better understand the complex tapestry of ecology, history, and society that makes every national park far more than a scenic destination. Tune in for a regular dose of insight that will deepen your appreciation and perhaps even shape your next journey into America's most treasured public lands.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

National Parks Traveler Podcast
Podcast Episodes
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