Continuing my eco tour through Mexico, I find myself in the heart of Mazunte in the province of Oaxaca where I spent several days playing with it most famous inhabitants: the sea turtles. Though, at first glance, they seem to be in abundance here, these once resilient animals are actually endanger of extinction. And the reason for this is in large part due to one of the most cunning and vicious predator: humans.
There are eight species of sea turtles worldwide. The state of Oaxaca in Mexico has four of those species: the Olive Ridley, the Hawksbill, the Leather Back, and the Black – all of which are either on the threatened or endangered lists.
Traditionally sea turtles were a popular food source. The harvesting of adult turtles for meat, shells, jewelry, and other products reduced the number of nesting turtles and ultimately decreased the production of eggs. On top of that, the harvesting of the remaining eggs for food is still largely practiced. With a decrease in the survival of these eggs, the turtle population has tremendously declined.
In the sleepy beach town of Mazunte, the Mexican government is changing that for Mexico with the creation of the Mexican National Turtle Center (Centro Mexicano de la Tortuga), a government institution that studies sea turtles and works in its conservation, as well as educate visitors and the local population.
Photo Credit: www.centromexicanodelatortuga.org
The center is large and can basically be described as a compound divided into distinct areas, with different types of turtles in each part. They have guided tours in Spanish and English for approximately $15 USD. I was lucky enough to capture these shots of the turtles who call the center’s large aquarium their home.
After a long day at the turtle center, we decided to go swimming in the hopes of finding some wild sea turtles in the open ocean. Our idea paid off as we spotted one swimming near us, which made us very happy, of course! Though, we didn’t go after it.
On the beach, we found a few turtles as well, like this one just casually resting (below). There’s not a lot of turtles on the beach in the fall. But every year in Mazunte there is a mass migration of sea turtles during the mating season (May – November) called the arribada where hundreds of turtles at the same time come back from the sea to lay thousands of eggs in the sand. When this occurs is rather ambiguous, but usually it is around the August time frame.
Sometimes, however, turtles like to lay eggs on their own. And because there’s not thousands of little turtles everywhere. It appears the mother of this newly born one (below) did just that, and now it is instinctively heading towards the waves to start its long journey to adulthood. In order to avoid disaster with these little ones as well as the adults, please mind your steps.
I’ve always believed that the hallmark of a great society is one which protects those that cannot protect themselves. And with that said, I give a lot of credit to Mexico’s National Turtle Center, where they are doing great work and the turtles seem to live happily. So the next time you are in Mexico, head to Mazunte to play with the native sea turtles and see for yourself why their worth saving.
And then after, grab one of the many hammocks around town, and sleep off the long day with the sound of the waves gently crashing on shore. Life is slow in Mazunte. And for the turtles, this is like their heaven.
Just 80 nautical miles from Seattle, the waters off the San Juan islands of Washington are home to n...
I love green. Its my favorite color. In fact, I have a green backpack that I take with me on my trav...
Heather sways in abundance against the almost ominous green valleys throughout the Scottish Highland...
I often wander the world, in search of beautiful places to be awed and inspired. I just never th...
the one u took by your toes the turtle is as big as your toes
My feet is not as big as yours tho
Sooooo cute. I love sea turtles. That very first photo is simply amazing
xxx
Mags recently posted..What to Do in Marrakech
I think the small ones are sooo cute. I never imagined them to be that small until I saw it in person. Sea turtles are easily photogenic
Pingback: Inspiration nature
Love the photo essay – it makes scanning perfect – saw a turtle like this swimming next to me in the Caribbean – scared the #@$@$ out of me
http://www.freelancetourist.com/nasa-gravity-recovery-interior-laboratory-tweetup-kennedy-space-center/
No snow in this post
“Playing with Endangered Sea Turtles” #Mexico #SeaTurtle #Wildlife http://t.co/U09MAJLI via @sichree23
I love Oaxaca and love these pics, Sherry! Great stuff.
I love that someone else knows where Oaxaca is … I especially crave their take on Mexican food.
I reckon that would be an awesome experience! I would love to see that.
Yes, it was a great experience to see the turtles in the wild (as oppose to a zoo or aquarium).
“Playing with Endangered Sea Turtles” #Mexico #SeaTurtle #Wildlife http://t.co/lhjqVxgK via @sichree23
Lovely photo essay Sherry! My favourite shot is of the wee one by the sandals.
Their so tiny and cute; though its hard to see them sometimes, which can be bad.
“Playing with Endangered Sea Turtles” #EcoTour #Mexico #SeaTurtle http://t.co/v45xBQur via @sichree23
That little one is so tiny!! Great photos.
They’re so cute when they’re that tiny.
“Playing with Endangered Sea Turtles” #EcoTour #Mexico #SeaTurtle http://www.colorfulfootsteps.com/2011/11/16/swimming-endangered-sea-turtles/ via @sichree23
Playing with Endangered Sea Turtles #EcoTour #Mexico #SeaTurtle http://ow.ly/7wOre via @sichree23
“Playing with Endangered Sea Turtles” #EcoTour #Mexico #SeaTurtle http://www.colorfulfootsteps.com/2011/11/16/swimming-endangered-sea-turtles/ via @sichree23
Turtles are incredible creatures, its so sad they are an endangered species
I’m really looking forward to volunteering to help animals on my trek around the world, and the sea turtles will definitely be among them.
“Playing with Endangered Sea Turtles” #EcoTour #Mexico #SeaTurtle http://t.co/oK2Livoa via @sichree23
Turtles are such beautiful creatures — I’ve been in love since my roommate brought me home one in Miami more than ten years ago! I had a heartbreaking experience with them in Costa Rica. Will post soon!
So glad you got to sea turtles in Costa Rica. I’m intrigued by this heartbreaking experience. Now I’m looking forward to reading about it.
Kudos to Mexico. These sea turtles are beautiful.
And the hammock doesn’t sound bad either.
The turtles with the hammock and some cerveza … well, it was the good life even for only a few days.
Playing with Endangered Sea Turtles #EcoTour #Mexico #SeaTurtle http://ow.ly/7wOre via @sichree23 11/20
“Playing with Endangered Sea Turtles” #EcoTour #Mexico #SeaTurtle http://t.co/aGFBlKWt via @sichree23
“Playing with Endangered Sea Turtles” #EcoTour #Mexico #SeaTurtle http://t.co/r8mJY7Ni via @sichree23
I love hearing about places like this. Your underwater photos are amazing!
I love going to places like this one. Nice that you love the photos – shhh… but they’re of sea turtles in the aquarium.
“Playing with Endangered Sea Turtles” #EcoTour #Mexico #SeaTurtle http://t.co/DWeptkpO via @sichree23
“Playing with Endangered Sea Turtles” #EcoTour #Mexico #SeaTurtle http://t.co/opypr0Wq via @sichree23
What an amazing place, Sherry and your photos of the turtles are just beautiful! What a shame they are endangered. I’ve just spent some time up in Churchill in Canada photographing the polar bears there. So many beautiful creatures whose existence is being affected by humans and the environment…
What a great idea, to spend some time with polar bears. I’m envious! Now I’m really considering it, too. They must make great photo subjects. Too bad they are endangered, much like these sea turtles.
“Playing with Endangered Sea Turtles” #EcoTour #Mexico #SeaTurtle http://t.co/Y25Zx1Ee via @sichree23
A lovely post, Sherry and thanks for spreading the word. I love your photos of the turtles in water; they look like paintings – beautiful!
Those photos in the water are someone’s photos of the aquarium. Would’ve been nice to actually see them under water.
Amazing photos and great story. We really really really want to volunteer and work with turtles somewhere, possibly in Greece. Hopefully we find a spot to help out at.
Greece would be a beautiful place for that! I’m surprised though that they would have some sea turtles up there, though the Mediterranean is warm enough. I hope you guys find a program. I’d love to read about it.
So cute! I’ll definitely have to go see them on my next visit to Mexico.
Go to Oaxaca. It my favorite part of Mexico and its underrated. Lots of sea turtles!
Great to hear about what they’re doing to protect the turtles. Amazing! Saw the Charles Darwin Research Station in the Galapagos Islands as well and am quite impressed with their efforts too.
I’m planning on spending some time in the Galapagos when I journey across the world where I would like to do some volunteer work with sea turtles. I’m glad to hear their efforts there are impressive, too. I cannot wait to go!
You’ll love it … the Galapagos Islands are incredible!!
Great photos of turtles! I would love to see them in the wild!
I don’t know if they have them in New Zealand, but I do know they are in Australia… would be easy enough to see in the wild
“Playing with Endangered Sea Turtles” – Colorful Footsteps – goo.gl/517Oj
Great post. More needs to be done, around the world, to save these endangered creatures. You’ve helped by spreading the word.
I’m glad you feel the same as I do. But we can all take heart as there are some out there doing great work to preserve the sea turtles. Though more needs to be done.
RT @InspirngTrvlrs: “Playing with Endangered Sea Turtles” #EcoTour #Mexico #SeaTurtle http://www.colorfulfootsteps.com/2011/11/16/swimming-endangered-sea-turtles/ via @sichree23
So SO cute – love these pics. I adore turtles; used to have them as pets when I was a child. Would be amazing to see these in the wild.
I always wondered what kind of pets turtles would make, since they can’t reciprocate affection. But I can see how one can be amazed just by watching them. To me they are the cutest reptiles.
“Playing with Endangered Sea Turtles” #EcoTour #Mexico #SeaTurtle http://t.co/ne2GK5CF via @sichree23
Wonderful photos! Many species of sea turtles come here to Florida to nest. It’s an amazing sight to see newly-hatched turtles making their way into the water, and it’s great to see Mexico’s National Sea Turtle Center helping to protect these special creatures. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for the compliment, Kevin. Florida is sounding like an attractive destination with the everglades and other wildlife, all of which are very interesting to me. Hmmm … maybe its time I take a side trip down that way. I have never actually seen a hatching egg but I have seen the tiny baby ones in the sands – so cute.
“Playing with Endangered Sea Turtles” #EcoTour #Mexico #SeaTurtle http://www.colorfulfootsteps.com/2011/11/16/swimming-endangered-sea-turtles/ via @sichree23
“Playing with Endangered Sea Turtles” #EcoTour #Mexico #SeaTurtle http://t.co/D7CtWUNs via @sichree23
Super gorgeous sea turtles, it’s heartbreaking that they are endangered
So many beautiful animals are being added on the endangered list. But at least there are those fighting the fight. There is still hope for these turtles.
"Playing with Endangered Sea Turtles” #EcoTour #Mexico #SeaTurtle http://t.co/ldaCGY0h via @sichree23
awwww ain’t they cute, lovely post with equally lovely photos to match Sherry
Yes, they are … hope you get a chance to see them in person – they’re much cuter.
“Playing with Endangered Sea Turtles” #EcoTour #Mexico #SeaTurtle http://t.co/5tKIqzAa via @sichree23
Playing with Endangered Sea Turtles #EcoTour #Mexico #SeaTurtle http://ow.ly/7wOre via @sichree23
So precious and beautiful. Yay for Mexico for protecting them! And yay to you for posting this.
Thank you Katrina, that’s such a nice thing to say. They do bring a lot of tourist to Mexico and so Mexico protects them. Its a perfect exchange.
Another great article. I love sea turtles too…
They are adorably cute, especially when they’re still very small.
“Playing with Endangered Sea Turtles” #EcoTour #Mexico #SeaTurtle http://t.co/KVrp2NIW via @sichree23
One of the worse things we can do is to allow such beautiful creatures to disappear. Weren’t they here even during the time of the dinosaurs? Great photos!
Yes, it would be indeed a shame. And you’re right, they were here since the time of the dinosaurs. But sadly, they are losing the battle for survival.
#theresamax: RT “#sichree23: “Playing with Endangered Sea Turtles” EcoTour Mexico SeaTurtle Travel http://t.co/34NbkC4z via #sichree23”
RT “@sichree23: “Playing with Endangered Sea Turtles” #EcoTour #Mexico #SeaTurtle #Travel http://www.colorfulfootsteps.com/2011/11/16/swimming-endangered-sea-turtles/ via @sichree23”
“Playing with Endangered Sea Turtles” #EcoTour #Mexico #SeaTurtle #Travel http://t.co/Z1LWNokX via @sichree23