Record number of endangered turtles hatch in Mexico

A record-breaking number of endangered olive ridley sea turtles have hatched on a beach in Sonora state in Mexico. Approximately 2,250 hatchlings have been released into the Gulf of California.

The boom in hatchlings is believed to be caused by the lack of human activity due to the pandemic, according to BBC.

The indigenous Seri community in Sonora released the animals into the Gulf. On average, the community will release 500 hatchlings a year. The increase in numbers is a hopeful sign for the species which is listed as vulnerable on the IUCN’s Red List.

‘The Olive ridley gets its name from its olive colored carapace, which is heart-shaped and rounded. Males and females grow to the same size; however, females have a slightly more rounded carapace as compared to the male. They are carnivores, and feed mainly on jellyfish, shrimp, snails, crabs, molluscs and a variety of fish and their eggs,’ says WWF.

Between May and September, the olive ridley sea turtles lay their eggs on various beaches across Mexico.