New Delhi (NVI): Record numbers of Olive Ridley sea turtles have hatched on a beach in northern Mexico, believed to be the result of reduced human activity during the coronavirus pandemic.
Thanks to the limitations set on fishing and tourism, the sea turtles successfully hatched to full-term as their beach nests were not disturbed.
The indigenous Seri community in Sonora state said it released more than 2,250 baby Olive Ridley sea turtles into the Gulf of California, according to a BBC report.
The community usually releases only around 500 sea turtle hatchlings every year, making this year’s record the highest so far.
Olive Ridley sea turtles got their name from the green color of its heart-shaped shell. They are one of the smallest sea turtles globally; primarily found in the Pacific, Indian, and Atlantic Oceans.
They are also considered the most abundant sea turtles in the world, with an estimated 800,000 nesting females every year. However, their numbers have gradually decreased over the years, as they are one of the most exploited sea turtles in the world.
They lay their eggs on Mexican shores between May and September. The turtle species is considered to be facing a high risk of extinction in the wild despite their abundance.
Notably, Mexico banned the capture of sea turtles in 1990, and there are stiff penalties for anyone caught hunting them.
-CHK
