“The Carey turtle nesting has increased 40% in the last year, with 4,500 nests, however, in the case of the white turtle species, there has been a decrease of around 70%”, reported Jorge Berzunza Chío, deputy director of wildlife of the Secretariat of the Environment and Natural Resources of the State of Campeche (SEMARNATCAM).
“It has been an excellent year for the Carey turtle species, since the population growth trend is maintained, and talking about the white turtle, 2017 set up a historical with 9,000 nests in Campeche. The figures have dropped this year, but we are still in the second month of nesting season; and we will continue to redouble protection efforts in the 12 camps installed across the state coast” he said.
He pointed out, theat the decrease of white turtle nesting is due to something natural, because the population reaches a maximum and from there begins to decline, and had been around for 4 years with sustained growth and therefore it is expected that within 2 to 3 years there will be a greater number of nests.
He also mentioned that about 18,000 baby turtles have been released, which makes the beaches of Champoton “Punta Xen” and Sabancuy some of the most important sites for Carey turtle nesting and release actions.
In the case of the white turtle, the most important camps are located in Isla Aguada, Sabancuy and Carmen.
“Since the Turtle Conservation and Protection Program was launched in Campeche, several efective actions have been carried out, in order to increase these species’ population,” Berzunza Chío concluded
TYT Newsroom with information from campechehoy.mx