Turtles nest and release in Cabo.

Most likely, when you are on vacation in the capes, you have heard about or taken part in the turtle release organized by some hotels. This activity has been increasing in popularity in recent years and it is not for less, the care provided has given results.

For olive ridley turtles, this has been an incredible year and season, as protected 4,000 nests with almost 34,000 eggs

To date, over 10,000 small turtles have been released into the sea, and there are still a few more weeks to close the season, so Baja California Sur will have a historical record for the birth and release of turtles.

That was great news, right? But what were the causes of this rebound in both nests and births and releases? Simple, the sea turtle protection and conservation programs implemented by the state government and the hotels that receive turtles on their beaches in Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo, such as the Royal Solaris Los Cabos.

Turtle protection programs

Some government programs are dedicated to studying and taking actions to preserve the species, so they seek care and avoid as possible (without interfering with its natural cycle) pathogens, diseases, predators, and chemical agents among many others, in order to ensure their longevity and survival of the species.

These programs government programs are carried out through the hotels, where the staff and society get training to detect the nests, move them from the original place, and take care of them until the release day

Why move the nest from place to place?

To protect them, the eggs left on the beach have a very low birth rate (hatching), because of natural predators, crushing of eggs by vehicles circulating on the beach, and other dangers, such as theft of eggs for food, which is prohibited by law in Mexico

What is the season to see and release turtles?

The turtle season begins with the first arrivals at the beginning of May and ends with the last releases at the end of November.

Tip:
The months in which we reported more sightings of nesting turtles are in the months of June and August.

What time can I see the turtles laying eggs?

To see this show you must have three main things: patience, very good eyesight, and insomnia since it is after 11 at night and late at night (almost dawn) when more turtles arrive on the beach.

When you see a turtle, don't bother it. Do not approach it, light it or make noises during its process, since it can leave the nest and return to the water.

Try to remember where the nest is located and notify the hotel security so that they can take action and take care of the nest.

Interesting facts about turtles:

• They locate the beach where they were born and return to it to lay their eggs.
• They swim in the ocean using the earth's magnetism as a geolocator.
• They have lives similar to those of humans: they take between 20 and 30 years to reach maturity and remain in the reproductive phase for another 10 to 15 years.
• They swim thousands of kilometers throughout their lives through ocean basins and high seas.
• In a single season, females lay between two and six nests, each nest containing between 60 and up to 180 eggs!
• The hatching of a turtle can take up to 4 days to break the eggshell.

That was interesting! You already have the knowledge to admire this beautiful spectacle of nature more than usual. We hope it will encourage you to come with us next turtle season and be part of this noble action to help the marine world.