The turtle nursery at the end of Calle Los Mangos in Las Tunas has been up for a few weeks now. Currently nesting are the golfinas (olive ridleys) the most abundant of all turtle species. Already well over 2500 eggs have been relocated to the nursery. Why move the eggs? First because people still raid the nests and eat the eggs even though the turtles and their eggs are protected by law. Second – the baby turtles suffer a high mortality rate trying to reach the ocean partly because people drive their 4 wheelers and trucks on the beach (also against the law.) This creates deep tracks in the sand that the little turtles can’t navigate.
Each mound contains about 100 eggs and is marked with date and location where the eggs were found.
Not a high tech endeavour. Just some posts and fencing.
The day after Hurricane Henriette passed by. Note the smoothness of the sand.
Mother turtle nesting (that’s German and son in the back.)
