Sea turtle off Ecuador's coast
Flora and Fauna

Underwater Endangered Testudines (a.k.a. Sea Turtles) #AtoZChallenge

The beach is in our blood. Everyone in our family returns to the beach instinctively, just like the sea turtles.
— 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.

Sea turtle, Isla de la Plata
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.

Turtle egg nests marked on beach
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.

Sea turtle
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?

2017 A to Z Challenge - U

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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!

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