Turtle Release

Hi guys!

  Today, I'll be talking about one very fun and interesting activity. A "save the turtles" turtle release here in Banderas Bay. Every day if turtles have hatched in the hatchery, they release the baby turtles into the bay. The night we were there, there were maybe 90-100 turtles released! Here is a picture.  See how little they are! The only down side to being so little though is, well, they’re just big enough to give a bird or fish a good-sized snack. Yes, I know the birds and fish have to eat too, but still with poachers (now illegal) and predators they're getting to be very endangered. So, despite the sad talk about all the things these little guys have to escape on their way out to the bay, they are quite the little survivors.  

  When it came time to release them, the lady came around and gave us all a turtle; she said they were only about 24 hours old (or less).

 

My turtle, (who I called Kelly) was very pushy; it really wanted to get out there! Here's a photo.

If you can't see in the photo, my hands are really sandy. The reason for that is that they use scent to remember their birthplace. In about 10 years the females will return to lay their eggs.

In the end, I walked home hoping they someday would reach the big 'ole blue.