Concerned that heavy surf and higher tides expected starting this weekend could wash the eggs away, wildlife officials have moved two turtle nests recently buried in the sand in north Orange County.
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Two olive ridley sea turtles crawled their way up the sand near the Seal Beach National Wildlife Refuge and near the pier in Huntington Beach to dig holes and lay their eggs. It is the first confirmed recording of natural sea turtle nests on the mainland West Coast of the United States.
Friday morning, Sept. 25, officials announced the nests had been moved to the Aquarium of the Pacific.
Biologists and experts from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Long Beach aquarium participated in making the decision, an announcement said.
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The eggs will now be incubated in a temperature-controlled environment, officials said. They typically hatch within 45 to 60 days, so it is expected that by early November the babies would emerge if viable.
Hurricane Odalys, out in the eastern Pacific Ocean, is expected to start elevating surf heading into the weekend, and then Hurricane Polo, called one of the most powerful Pacific cyclones in decades, is on track to start pounding sections of southeastern-facing coast by Monday.
The hurricanes are hitting during a period of higher tides, so water will be pushing up higher on shore.
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This is a developing story please check back for updates.