Los Cabos volunteers prepare to protect sea turtle nests

A practical class was held last Friday by the sea turtle protection network operation for a group of volunteers with the aim of increasing awareness and providing training in the identification and collection of turtle nests.

High nesting season has started in Los Cabos right now, and the nesting pen on the beach next to the San José del Cabo estuary has been set up to protect about 35 nests. Thus, volunteers for the program to protect sea turtles have received both practical and academic training.

In order to teach volunteers the proper procedures for identifying, gathering, and relocating the nests, Professor Joel, the nesting pen manager, and marine biologist Gabriel Olvera simulated a turtle nest during the practical class. The purpose of this activity, according to biologist Gabriel Olvera, is to increase awareness and improve group integration.

The sea turtle experts provided information about turtle nesting and nesting during their explanations. If a female hasn’t started nesting yet, we wait for her to do so before collecting her eggs and placing them in plastic bags.

Look for the location of the egg deposit in the bedding area if the female has already spawned. You probe into the sand for about 15 centimeters with a thin stick or cane to feel the nesting area. The stick is gently inserted because turtle nests are typically found in a sand patch that is soft. Once the spot has been identified, careful excavation is begun using the hands as a spoon. The first turtle eggs can be seen once the depth exceeds 45 centimeters. These are gathered and then transported to the hatching pen to be “seeded” in a plastic bag.

It’s important to remember that a turtle nest typically has 105 eggs, but can hold up to 160. Therefore, it is crucial to collect and count eggs accurately. Once the information has been gathered and counted, it is recorded in the bag and shared with the coordinates of the extraction site.

Come to the nesting pen on the beach next to the Estero de San José del Cabo Municipal Ecological Reserve if you’re interested in joining the volunteer team or learning more about sea turtle protection.