UY2A0483 copy.jpg
 
 

The Palmarito Project.

 
 

The primary mission of PSTR is…

to protect the sea turtle nests along Palmarito Beach and other nearby nesting grounds.  From September to June, the 22 km of Palmarito beach are patrolled via ATV in search of sea turtles laying eggs. The nests are relocated to protected corrals to protect them from poaching, dogs, small mammals, birds, crabs and insects such as flesh eating flies. Once the eggs hatch, the hatchlings are released at dusk to protect them from predators. Through these efforts, thousands of Olive Ridley and East Pacific Green hatchlings have been released as well as hundreds of Leatherback hatchlings.  In addition, valuable information regarding hatching rates, fertility and nest sizes is recorded for each species. The data generated and documented has been published in a number of scientific publications

Part of this effort also includes spaying and neutering local dogs who prey on the sea turtle nests, while also giving rural families access to free, urgently-needed veterinary care. These services are provided by a group of volunteer veterinary professionals who travel from the US, Canada, and Mexico City to set up mobile veterinary clinics in communities surrounding the most threatened sea turtle nesting beaches.

In spite of these impressive stats, we face an uphill battle, especially with the Leatherbacks, whose population is critically endangered.  Factors such as fishing nets, long line fishing, cruise ship waste, plastic trash and other environmentally adverse actions threaten their survival.

 

OUR PROJECT IS WORKING:

  • We protect and release 40,000 to 60,000 hatchlings annually

  • We protect 400-700 nests annually

  • These nests and hatchlings represent critically endangered species (Leatherbacks and East Pacific Green Sea Turtles)

  • We educate hundreds of students annually on the importance of protecting endangered species and the importance of ecotourism to the local economy

  • We educate thousands of tourists who come to visit the site and release a hatchling, on the importance of sea turtles to the environment and the health of the local economy.

  • We educate the local communities on how to set up protective corrals like ours.