Sea turtle nesting season in Guatemala
The nesting season of sea turtles in the Pacific of Guatemala has already begun, and with it, new efforts for the conservation of the species.
All species of sea turtle, including the olive ridley(Lepidochelys olivacea) spend their entire lives in the sea, except for the females that come out to lay their eggs. Photo: Daniel Torobekov/Pexels
After 15 years of traveling the ocean currents, the female turtles leave the sea, on the same beach where they were born, to lay their own eggs. Photo: Jorge Rodríguez/Viatori
Upon reaching the beach, the turtle digs a hole half a meter from the surface and lays between 100 to 120 eggs. Each turtle is believed to nest three times throughout the season. Photo: Jorge Rodríguez/Viatori
The turtle nurseries in Guatemala are in charge of handling 20% of the eggs collected by the community throughout the season. Only in 2020, the release of about 153 thousand parlama turtles, Chelonia mydas (Green turtle), Dermochelys coriácea (Baule) was achieved. Photo: Jorge Rodríguez/Viatori
After hatching, the turtles support each other to burrow and surface. Photo: Jorge Rodríguez/Viatori
According to the National Council of Protected Areas of Guatemala (CONAP), in the 2020-2021 season, the percentage of hatching of the eggs reached 89.83%. Photo: Jorge Rodríguez/Viatori
It is estimated that only one out of every thousand hatchlings will reach adulthood. For this reason, it is important to support the operation of nurseries throughout the Pacific coast of the region. Photo: Jorge Rodríguez/Viatori
Once in the sea, the newborn turtles look for the marine currents, where they can find food. However, along the way, they may encounter predators, such as fish, seagulls, and other seabirds. Photo: Jorge Rodríguez/Viatori
Once on the beach, the main objective of the newborn turtles is to run towards the ocean. Between the nest and the sea, the turtles biochemically record all the elements of the environment, which will then help them return once they become adults. Photo: Jorge Rodríguez/Viatori
In addition to being biological centers, the nurseries are also centers for environmental education, designed to teach girls and boys about the importance of conserving the wild visa. Photo: Jorge Rodríguez/Viatori
After circumventing natural and man-made threats, around 15 years after being born, the turtles return to the same beach where they first saw the light to lay their eggs and complete their life cycle. Photo: Daniel Torobekov/Pexels
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