I know it may seem strange that I'm holding the sea turtle. Isn't that illegal? Why isn't she just scurrying after it trying to direct it towards the water?
The Tecolutla Turtle Preservation Project offers the exciting experience of adopting your own turtle and personally releasing it along the beach.
Meet my cute little guy, Angel:
The Preservation Project works to protect the most endangered species of sea turtle called Kemp's Ridley, or in Spanish, Tortuga Lora (scientific name Lepidochelys kempii). They are the only species of sea turtle to lay eggs during the daytime with adults reaching average sizes of 75-100 pounds.
Their population is on the decline, along with many others, from pollution in the gulf and commercial fishing nets. However, Tortuga Lora are also in danger of being hunted for their meat and shells, as well as their eggs, which are mistakenly sold as aphrodisiacs. Given these particular circumstances, those at the Preservation Project are able to temporarily intervene with nature in order to protect the turtles through the hatching process.
It was really special to gather with everyone and send our little turtles toward the water, knowing we had helped with a great cause. Hopefully, the program's conservation efforts will continue to save turtles and find ways to keep them safe once they're in the ocean.
Maybe it's silly, but I felt strangely bittersweet watching my little Angel disappear into the waves. All I could do was hope I had helped in some small way and wish him good luck with the unknown ahead.
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What's your favorite conservation effort of which you've been a part? What's the weirdest thing you've ever seen washed up on the beach? Let me know with a comment below!
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