Sea Turtles

Ever since we entered Mexico, we had heard about various sea turtle preservation efforts.  Many of the 7 species of sea turtles are endangered.  As part of the Baja Ha Ha, we were asked to make note of any turtles we saw while sailing and send the information in.  The country is very serious about its efforts to rescue them.  

This past weekend, we attended a sea turtle release by the local rescue agency.  First, they gave us a tutorial about the turtles, why they are endangered and their nesting habits.  The agency collects the eggs after they're laid and places them in a habitat safe from predators (including humans).  When a clutch hatches, they announce a release for that evening - just at sunset.  We were allowed to 'clean' our hands by abrading them in the sand and then hold a turtle to "release" it.  At the appointed time, we set our tiny, strong charges on the sand just beyond a rope line and watch them move towards the sea.  We were told its very important that they walk in the sand - its their way of imprinting the beach on them so that 8-10 years from now, when they are ready to breed, they can return to the exact same beach.  

Our daughter has been doing a research paper on sea turtles and learned that one, leatherback, has not nested in Banderas Bay for about 8 years because they're just too delicate.  They get caught in the illegal fishing nets and lines in the bay and that kills them.  She read that a scratch on their shell causes them to bleed.  The species that frequents Banderas Bay is the Olive Ridley.  

Saw the setting sun as we listened to the turtle talk....

the bucket o' baby turtles to be released

Prepping hands to hold the turtle

So cute!!  These little guys were STRONG!  We had to be very careful not to let them swim out of our hands.  

Those front flippers (this one in our son's hands) were long and necessarily strong.