Releasing Baby Turtles in Mexico

Location:

Various, along the Pacific coast of Mexico. In Oaxaca state, “Campamento Tortuguero” on Playa Ventanilla, near Mazunte is a good, ethically-run place.  

In Chiapas, the turtle sanctuary at Boca del Cielo is similarly good.

Recommended by Alex of Just Go Exploring

How do I know it’s ethical?

Both of these sanctuaries have strict protocols in place to ensure the wellbeing of the turtles.  For example:

• The turtles are released into the sea almost immediately after they have hatched (unlike in certain other places, where hatchlings can be kept in tanks for visitors to look at and take photos of).  
• Visitors are not permitted to touch or play with the baby turtles, which are placed inside coconut shells prior to being released.  
• Staff touch the hatchlings as little as possible, and only ever while using gloves (this helps minimise any effect on their natural magnetic orientation system).

Don’t visit or give money to any sanctuary that doesn’t follow the above protocols.

The two sanctuaries mentioned here also take part in various local community events to raise awareness of the need to protect these endangered species and prevent their eggs from being poached.

Description of the Experience

The Pacific coast of Mexico is an important nesting place for several species of sea turtle.  Many of these species – including hawksbill, green, Olive Ridley, and leatherback turtles – are sadly endangered, so this is a really critical place for these magnificent creatures.

Sadly, even today large numbers of endangered turtle eggs are poached.  In an attempt to prevent this, a number of sanctuaries have been set up to protect the eggs from poachers.  

Volunteers search for buried eggs and carefully relocate them to within the grounds of the sanctuary, where they are guarded day and night to protect them from poachers.  This helps to ensure that as many baby hatchlings make it back into the ocean as possible.

You can assist with the search for turtle eggs, and also witness the magical moment when the eggs hatch and the babies make their way down into the ocean.

Turtles lay their eggs on Mexican beaches throughout the year.  However, the best time to release baby turtles is different in each part of the country.  In Oaxaca, it’s from April until July, as this is the period when the largest number of eggs are laid and hatched.  In Chiapas, this period runs from July until November.

Company/ Cost: 

“Campamento Tortuguero” (La Ventanilla, Oaxaca) charges 100 MXN ($5 USD) per person for releasing baby turtles. 

 “Santuario de Tortugas” (Boca del Cielo, Chiapas) is free to visit, and the sanctuary is glad for volunteers to assist with their nightly beach patrols.

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This is one post on a series of ethical animal tourism posts by travel content creators. The experiences cover all seven continents and a variety of animals. Ensure that your animal experience is an ethical one.

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