Turtles Tough Trek

Imagine being born into darkness.. buried under the sand. You manage to claw your way to the surface, then must outrun the gauntlet of things trying to eat you, then you must survive out in the wilderness on your own. That is what wee baby turtles face in their first few years of life. Not an easy task for babies born 2 inches and weighing 1.5lb!

This is why organisations that run turtle hatcheries are so valuable! They help to protect the turtles in their early stages and give them a better chance of survival. Nearly all species of Sea Turtles are classified as "Endangered" with 3 of the 7 species classified as "Critically Endangered" according to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

Volunteers during breeding season patrol stretches of beach late at night and early in the morning looking for turtles who have come ashore to lay their eggs. Once the turtles head back off into the ocean, the nest will be dug up and the eggs will be relocated to a protected hatchery. There the eggs will remain safe from predators such as: dogs, lizards, and humans. Up to two months later, when the nests hatch the baby turtles are brought back to the beach they were found and released close to the tideline, where they run down the beach and into the ocean. This process protects them from predators that would normally pick them off the shore.

Organisations such as Organización para la Sustentabilidad y Conservación del Medio Ambiente in Mexico and the Juara Turtle Project in Malaysia rely on volunteers and donations to operate. At an event I recently attended all proceeds went to fund the gear for Organizacion SyComa, such as new tires for the ATV’s in order to patrol the long stretches of beach. In return we learned all about the sea turtles life cycle and why their protection is so important. We were also able to watch the release of a newly hatched nest. 

The marine world is in desperate need of help and marine organisations need to be supported! This will enable future generations to witness these beautiful creatures firsthand.

Words and photos by Cabo-based Dive Master, Photographer and my Friend Luke Suen.