Freeing Young Sea Turtles in the Local Ecology Guide
Those people who have had the opportunity to participate in freeing new born turtles to the sea, have gone away with a pleasant memory, aware of the vulnerability of these tiny creatures to their natural predators and of the importance of the protection of sea turtles in Mexico.
The freeing of young sea creatures is the event most awaited by residents and visitors, and represents the final step in the efforts made to protect the sea turtles in Puerto Vallarta, and the beginning of a new hope for the recovery of this species.
The main objective of the freeing of the hatchings is “to create a conscience”, sensitizing the participants to the importance of the conservation of these and all species, and allowing them to attest to the daily miracle of nature. These events allow society to feel like a part of these efforts, generating a deep change in the way they see nature.
Such events are free admission, and they are carried out daily between the months of July to December, on the beaches of hotels sponsoring the program for the protection of sea turtles. After listening to a brief bilingual explanation, the participants have the opportunity “to release” a young of sea turtle one meter from the edge of the ocean, to witness this miracle of nature that shows the tenacity of the babies to survive.
Unlike other tourist beaches of the country, in our city, the freeing of young hatchlings is done at dusk. This is somewhat peculiar when you considered that the typical release schedule is at night. This is done here at dusk due to the high degree of light contamination (excess artificial lighting at night), that causes disorientation of the turtle hatchings and delays them from leaving the bay to the open sea, where they are in less danger.
It is very important to mention that the hatchlings must not be kept for more than 24 hours, and should be released as soon as possible, always the same day they leave the nest. Still there are people who try to keep them longer, waiting for more hatchlings to release to offer a more appealing attraction to tourists. That they must be released the same day they emerge is not a whim of the program, rather it is based on scientific reasons.
Anyone can participate in the freeing of hatchlings into the ocean, but you must take care of and always respect the instructions of the organizers, always keeping in mind the well-being of the sea turtles, above all. Participant must have clean hands, free of chemicals like suntan oils or insect repellants, carefully holding the baby turtle until receiving the instructions to release it. At the signal, all participants must free the hatchlings at the same time, then back up and witnesses their entrance into the ocean. After freeing them the participant it is limited to only observe, allowing the organizers to position of them, and the use of flashes or flashlights is not allowed after they are released. However, yes, the taking of photographs is allowed while they have them in their hands and are not yet released. Swimming is not permitted while the turtles are being released and the participants must always remain behind the line marked in the sand, to avoid to stepping on them by accident.
To participate in freeing baby sea turtles, those interested should contact one of the following participating hotels that evening, at extensions below, to confirm whether there will be a turtle release:
- Condominiums Playas Gemelas: Security Department. Tel. (322) 228-0370
- Hotel Fiestamericana: Security Department. Tel. (322) 226-2100
- Hotel Presidente Intercontinental: Security Department. Tel. (322) 228-0507
- Hotel CasaMagna Marriott: Activities Center. Tel. (322) 226-0000
- Hotel Vallarta Torre. Tel. (322) 226-2000
- Hotel The Westin Resort & Spa. Tel. (322) 226-1100
- Hotel Dreams: Activities Center. Tel. (322) 226-5000
- Hotel Velas Vallarta: Security Department. Tel. (322) 221-0091
If you would like more information about sea turtles or about our work, or if you wish to work with us as a volunteer or make a donation, you can contact us at tel. 044 (322) 294-1701, visit our website at www.vallartanature.org.
