Endangered sea turtles found on Louisiana islands for first time in 75 years

In the second half of the 20th century, the population of the Kemp’s ridley turtle dropped drastically, reaching a low of only several hundred females. Photograph: AP

For the first time in 75 years, hatchlings of the world’s smallest sea turtle species have been discovered on the Chandeleur Islands, a chain of barrier islands in the Gulf of Mexico off the coast of New Orleans.

Wildlife experts at the Breton national wildlife refuge have documented more than 53 turtle crawls and two live hatchlings that were navigating towards the sea, Louisiana’s Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority announced in a press statement this week.