November 27, 2024
Paula Diaz
More than 500 newborn turtles wait to return to the sea at Rancho San Cristóbal, in the Mexican Pacific.
On the Mexican Pacific coast, biologists are working hard to protect sea turtles, a protected species that travel thousands of miles throughout their lives, traveling between ocean basins from cold waters to warm beaches.
CAPE SAN LUCAS, MEXICO — 
Sea turtles travel thousands of miles in their lifetime, traveling between ocean basins from cold waters to warm beaches. Despite their importance to the ecosystem, these species are endangered, making any conservation effort crucial.
At Rancho San Cristóbal, on the Mexican Pacific coast, patrols are carried out to collect nests and protect them in a nesting corral, increasing the chances of survival of the offspring. This process includes monitoring, relocating eggs and releasing them after hatching.
“Sea turtles are protected species. There are currently seven species in danger of extinction, some in a more critical range than others, so any grain of sand we can contribute is vital to perpetuate these species that have been on our planet for more than 260 million years,” biologist Zulema Guevara, who leads one of these projects, told the Voice of America .
Biologists work hard to protect sea turtles on Mexican beaches. The project on the shores of the Pacific Ocean includes patrols on a four-kilometer beach, most of which take place during the early morning hours.
“We collect all the nests we see; sometimes we witness the females laying their eggs, which is incredible, and other times we follow their tracks in the sand,” Guevara explained.
The eggs are counted, transported and protected in a nesting pen, ensuring the best conditions for their development. After 45 days, the hatchlings are released.
Guevara highlighted the phenomenon of “arribadas”, mass nesting of more than 100 females simultaneously. Although few offspring reach adulthood, the hard work translates into a positive impact on their preservation.
The biologist highlighted the genetic connection and philopatry of turtles, unique qualities that reinforce the importance of their conservation.
“They have many, many characteristics, but something that I love to share with people is the multi-paternity, that each nest has one mother and can have up to seven different fathers, which is a unique genetic variety. We see it from the moment of collection, the eggs of different sizes and when they are hatchlings we see some very large ones, others smaller,” explained Guevara.
Biologist Zulema Guevara explains how the sea turtle incubation pen works at Rancho San Cristobal. He also highlighted the phenomenon of imprinting, a process by which turtles, when taking their first steps towards the sea, learn the characteristics of the beach where they were born. This learning, linked to the process of philopatry, allows them to remember those characteristics in adulthood and return to the same place to lay their eggs, thus closing the natural life cycle.
In Los Cabos, various community initiatives have promoted conservation, including activities such as the mass release of turtles. These actions not only protect endangered species, but also promote environmental education and ecotourism, involving residents and visitors in the care of the marine ecosystem.
The municipality recently organized mass release of turtles, inviting residents and tourists to be part of the process. This activity, part of an educational project, aims to raise awareness in the community about the importance of these species in the balance of the marine ecosystem and to promote their protection.
The event, coordinated by the Tourism Department, was attended by about 30 people. Janet Ordaz, representative of Natural and Wildlife Resources, reminded participants not to touch the turtles for health reasons.
These turtles were hatchlings from a massive arrival. The eggs were collected and transferred to a nesting corral in the municipality, where they remained for about a month and a half.
“Approximately 45 days, but if it is warm they can come out a little earlier; they need the heat to develop,” the official explained.
After being released and touching the sand, the pups must walk between 12 and 15 meters until they reach the sea.
Residents and tourists witness the release of sea turtles at Playa Las Viudas.
Residents and tourists witness the release of sea turtles at Playa Las Viudas.
Rosa Mandi, a resident of Ciudad Juárez, visited Los Cabos and was grateful for the opportunity to witness a mass release of turtles. As a human rights activist, she highlighted the importance of the effort dedicated to the conservation of these species.
“It’s wonderful, it’s really wonderful that we can be part of things like this, which are not exclusive to those who can pay. These kinds of natural experiences belong to everyone and are accessible to Mexicans and foreigners,” said Mandi.
Sea turtles are protected species under Mexican law. The Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources has established specific regulations for their protection, while Article 420 of the Mexican Penal Code punishes crimes such as capturing them, harming them, collecting or storing their eggs, and damaging their nests.
“Seeing the babies integrate into the sea makes all the effort worthwhile,” Guevara concluded.
