mazmessenger.com
José Barrón Hernández, head of the aquarium´s turtle protection program, said in 2014 the aquarium rescued 250 fewer turtle nests than in 2013. Climate conditions of rain and high waves on Mazatlán beaches forced turtles to head south to lay their eggs, he explained.
Personnel rescued 1,025 nests containing 95,311 eggs and liberated 78,892 baby turtles in 2014.
In contrast to last year when turtles inexplicably arrived early to lay their eggs, this year not one turtle has been sited to date, said Barrón Hernández, saying it all depends on the climate. Nonetheless, year after year they see more turtles which they think are those liberated on Mazatlán beaches over the 25 years the program has been in place. They return to their hatching site to lay eggs when they reach maturity at 12 or 15 years of age, he explained.
Out of every 100 baby turtles released to the sea, only one or two survive to become adults. For that reason, stated the program coordinator, we must save as many as possible less they become extinct.
(from Noroeste)
