In Los Cabos, the annual sea turtle release program occurs in late October and early November. The start of high season in tourism-dependent Cabo ushers in the magical, early morning moments when locals and visitors join in the sea turtle release that is both delightful to see and unforgettable to be involved with. Children and adults both marvel at releasing, watching and taking pictures/videos of the incredible, endangered species inching their way toward establishing life out at sea.
Olive Ridley turtless are the smallest sea turtle species. They generally average 100 pounds once fully grown, but when released, they are no bigger than the palm of your hand and look more like little crabs crawling about in search of their ocean homeland. In contrast, Leatherbacks are the largest of the sea turtles, growing to 70 inches long, and weighing as much as a ton once they reach full maturity. Incredibly, Leatherbacks are the fastest underwater reptiles on earth and are some of the deepest diving mammals as well with an uncanny ability to submerge to depths of more than 4,000 feet. They survive on a diet of shrimp, algae, jellyfish and snails.
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Individually, Olive Ridley females nest in Los Cabos from June through December. Once sea turtles mature, they have few predators to deal with in terms of their survival, but the hatching process is filled with danger for these tiny creatures as they claw their way instinctively toward the sea. Unfortunately, this natural process is filled with multiple hazards including being eaten by birds before they even reach the water.
The Association for the Protection of the Environment and the Marine Turtle in Southern Baja (ASUPMATOMA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to the protection of the endangered sea turtles of Baja California Sur, Mexico. ASUPMATOMA was founded more than 20 years ago by René Pinal, a prominent real estate investor and conservationist in Cabo San Lucas, along with a team of biologists and local residents.
“This is a very exciting time of year for us because we will be able to watch the birth of thousands of endangered baby sea turtles as they hatch and make their way to the sea for the first time. It is truly an incredible experience,” Pinal said.
Sea turtles are ancient ocean dwellers that have lived on Earth for more than 150 million years dating back to the time of dinosaurs. Just over 50 years ago, 40,000 females were captured on film nesting in just one single day at the beach. ASUPMATOMA alone was responsible in 2008 for saving over 600 nests containing some 60,000 eggs resulting in 41,684 sea turtle hatchlings being safely released to the Pacific Ocean north of Cabo San Lucas.
The Campamento Tortuguero Don Manuel Orantes is the other turtle monitoring branch of the Cabo San Lucas hatchling release program with a protected nursery on the beach next to the San José del Cabo estuary. This year, the Oliver Ridley sea turtles have, once again, taken over the shores, particularly around Las Mañanitas condos, and have been spotted nesting from La Ribera to Migriño. The sheer number of eggs this season is breaking records, setting the stage for a bountiful hatching season. It’s a magical sight, seeing these ancient mariners dig their nests and lay eggs, continuing a cycle of life that has been happening for millions of years.
The Directorate of Ecology and Environment, through the Municipal Program for the Protection of Sea Turtles, has carried out work to protect a yearly average of 170 nests, with a total of 18,400 eggs, which were in an immediate state of protection and care, as announced by the person in charge of the program, biologist Gabriel Olvera.
In addition, Olvera explained that these actions were achieved thanks to the field technicians and volunteers who were present to carry out patrols in such a way that various schedules could be covered, which resulted in the location and identification of turtle nests and their eggs.
Gabriel Olvera indicated that all those interested in protecting turtles and their eggs can contact his offices at (624) 105-0903 or send an email to gabriel.olvera@loscabos.gob.mx, and offer their much-needed and greatly appreciated volunteer assistance.
