She arrived at night, as usual. This time, security personnel of the Ventanas al Paraiso, a Rosewood Resort, reported the sighting to local biologist Graciela Tiburcio, who is the leader of the Los Cabos Sea Turtle Protection program. It was 3:00 am, and Graciela found several security agents watching the huge Leatherback lay her eggs. The group counted 108 eggs, which were transferred to a special nest to incubate, as these particular species need a suitable temperature so that they develop. This particular sea turtle was sized at 2.5 meters (8.2 feet) long and her weight was estimated at half a ton (1,100 lbs.) The number of leatherback turtles that feed in the waters of California has declined by 80% during the last two decades, according to new research released by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Moss Landing Marine Laboratories. They’re at risk of extinction in the Pacific Ocean,” said Scott Benson, lead study author and marine ecologist with NOAA.
