Underwater Endangered Testudines (a.k.a. Sea Turtles) #AtoZChallenge
— Sandy Archibald
Four sea turtles species live off the coast of Ecuador. Green Turtles, Leatherbacks, and Olive-Ridley are endangered and Hawksbills are critically endangered. People are working to improve their numbers and chances of species survival.
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| Sea Turtle Isla de la Plata, Manabí, Ecuador |
Sea turtles live the majority of their lives in the ocean but are born on beaches. Female sea turtles return to the beach where they were born to lay eggs. Each egg nest is marked to prevent human damage.
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| Each nest is marked with caution tape and a sign identifying it as a turtle egg nest. Santa Rosa Beach, Manta, Manabí November, 2013 |
Volunteers with the foundation Oceans 2 Earth, Machalilla National Park, and people living near beaches monitor nesting areas. They record and mark the nests.
People return when the eggs are expected to hatch. They count the babies as they run to the ocean. They also ensure that the baby turtles run toward the ocean. They sometimes run inland by mistake. Humans help turn them around.
Adult sea turtles are frequently seen near reefs just off Isla de la Plata, where groups snorkel after touring the island to see blue-footed boobies.
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| Sea Turtle Isla de la Plata, Manabí, Ecuador |
The Machalilla National Park veterinarian maintains the Marine Wildlife Rehabilitation Center in Puerto Lopez. Injured turtles receive care until they are healthy enough to be returned to the ocean.
Humans are responsible for the majority of turtle injuries, including cuts from boat propellers, plastic ingestion, and fishing net damage.
Have you seen turtles in the wild?
If you are visiting from the #AtoZChallenge please include your blog link in a comment so I can check it out.
Emily Bloomquist
I am a US Expat in Ecuador. I grew up on a Minnesota farm, worked in IT in California's Silicon Valley, then moved to a coastal Ecuador fishing village. My goal is to share Ecuador with you, one snippet at a time. Topics include attractions, compassion, ecotourism, Ecuador products, everyday Ecuador, and flora and fauna. Please let me know what you would like to read more about!
26 Comments
Nick Wilford
The birth of the baby turtles is one of the most amazing spectacles, although I've only seen it on TV. Nice that people give them a helping hand!
Emily Bloomquist
I agree Nick! Their birth and race to the ocean is incredible.
Marion Westerling
I went to the Sea Turtle Center on Jekyll Island a couple of weeks ago. Fascinating information on how they rescue hurt turtles!
Emily Bloomquist
That must have been an interesting visit. Seeing the turtle recovery process is amazing!
moon
Thanks for sharing the story of people's sensitivity towards preservation of the endangered species of turtles ,around your part of the world. A sign of hope! Cute pics 🙂
Best wishes,
Moon
https://aslifehappens60.wordpress.com
Emily Bloomquist
Thanks Moon – I hope that other parts of the world have similar efforts happening, too.
Jean Davis
One of these days, I'd love to see these lovely creatures in person. It's great that they're getting so much attention and help so they can again flourish.
Discarded Darlings – Jean Davis, Speculative Fiction Writer, A to Z: Editing Fiction
Emily Bloomquist
It is great, Jean. Hopefully one day there will be enough of them to no longer be endangered.
Shirley Corder
I've also only seen this on TV but it is an amazing sight. Thanks for sharing. U is for Understanding URLs as you Build a Better Blog. #AtoZchallenge.
Emily Bloomquist
It is amazing, whether on TV or in person. Thanks for stopping by Shirley.
Donna B. McNicol
They are so amazing. They are one of the sea creatures hubby enjoys seeing during his scuba dives, more than any other.
DB McNicol | Oh, the places we will go! | Utah & Universal Studios
Emily Bloomquist
I only snorkel so I can only imagine how magical it must be when he scuba dives with them!
A Tarkabarka Hölgy
I love sea turtles, but I have never seen one in the wild. It is good that people are helping them survive now. I read some lovely sea turtle legends from Oceania when I was doing that part of my Folktales around the world series…
The Multicolored Diary: WTF – Weird Things in Folktales
Emily Bloomquist
It is encouraging to see so many people caring for them, Zalka. I hope the sea turtle legends you read painted them in a good light. Since you called them lovely, they probably did 🙂
Pat Holloway
Beautiful picture of the sea turtle
Emily Bloomquist
Thank you Pat!
DeeDee
Turtles fascinate me for some reason.
And baby turtles look so damn cute. I have seen them on TV.
Thanks for sharing
A Peice Of My Life
Emily Bloomquist
They are so cute! Thanks for stopping by DeeDee.
Camille Flores
We also have conservation efforts here in Mexico. Unfortunately, turtle eggs are a delicacy locally.
https://survivingmexico.com/2016/10/14/claudias-san-pancho-marine-turtle-adventure-earning-theteam-turtle-tattoo/
Emily Bloomquist
Wow Camille – I just read your post. What incredible efforts you go through to save the eggs from poachers. Well done and thank you! While researching for my post I read that turtle eggs are a delicacy but I have seen only conservation efforts by people here.
Darla M Sands
How cool that people are allowed to benevolently intervene. I've seen so many opposing situations. I would love to be of aid to these or other creatures. I've gone so far as to phone authorities when air gliders have landed illegally on seaside sand dunes. Be well!
http://darlamsands.blogspot.com/
Emily Bloomquist
It is wonderful to be where so many are helpful to helpless creatures. They are always seeking volunteers so feel free to come anytime!
Hilary Melton-Butcher
Hi Emily – I've never seen sea turtles live … but I'd love to – sad about the humans of today just wanting to take advantage of the ability to see the turtles without concern for their well-being, and dreadful to have so much corruption in all walks of life … exploiting people's needs with advantageous gain … thank goodness for the organisations taking care … cheers Hilary
http://positiveletters.blogspot.co.uk/2017/04/w-is-for-whistlejacket.html
Emily Bloomquist
You are absolutely right Hilary, and said it so well. It is sad that many humans are so selfish. I echo your thoughts – thank goodness for the organizations taking care.
Nilanjana Bose
I've gone turtle spotting – there are protected beaches in the Arabian Gulf where the turtle come in the season to drop their eggs …incredibly moving thing to witness!
Emily Bloomquist
What an incredible process to be a part of, Nilanjana!