{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"National Parks Traveler Podcast | Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtles","description":"What is the fate of the critically endangered Kemp\u2019s 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\u2019s recovery weigh heavily on the national seashore\u2019s programs and budgeting, which are also threatened and endangered. Dr. Donna Shaver, one of the world\u2019s foremost sea turtle experts, nurtured the seashore\u2019s sea turtle science program for the past 22 years. However, for the past five years she\u2019s 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\u2019s Ridley Sea Turtle with Dr. Shaver. Instead, the Traveler\u2019s Lynn Riddick talks this week with research scientist Nathan Putman. He\u2019s involved in studies of the Kemp\u2019s Ridley to understand more about this intriguing species. ","author_name":"National Parks Traveler Podcast","author_url":"http:\/\/nationalparkstraveler.libsyn.com\/website","html":"