August has been a busy time and also a difficult time for the Tortugueros. The Blanca/Green mommas that normally visit our beaches starting in June, were later this season and have come in force! Reports of 16 Blancas on Akumal Sur in one night, 7 on Playa Tortuga in 45 minutes early one evening, mommas still on beaches at sunrise which is unusual AND of course it is hatchling time, plenty of babies starting their journey from the shores of Akumal Beaches! The STAFF has been kept VERY busy! Also the storms arrived which means, many nights of working in the rain – or due to lightning and extreme conditions, not working at all.
Properly marking nests is much more difficult when the Tortuguero is not there to watch the eggs drop. To officially mark the nest for the Government’s report, the licensed official must SEE the eggs, which if not there in person when laid means digging in mountains of sand to find the nest the next morning. The Tortuguero’s job if difficult enough with the long night hours (9P-5A), the mosquitos, the rain, the situations – this adds just one more challenge. CEA is very lucky to have a great group of hard working, turtle-loving, preservation-conscious Tortugueros on Staff. If you see them on the beach, say HI and by all means “Muchas Gracias” ! These Tortugueros deserve our support!!
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