As we all know, but may not want to confront, is the fact that just 10 years ago in 2007 there were over 16,306 endangered species in the world, that is roughly 40% of Earth’s animals and plants that future generations might never be able to experience. The time to travel and see these species before they die out is immediate.
Sea turtles display the most subtle power and majestic quality and it is shocking that some species, like the Kemp’s Ridley and Leatherback have been under the United States Endangered Species Act since 1970. My travels to Guatemala enlightened me on the real danger these turtles face on the Latin American shores and the causes for their decreasing population.
There are many conservation parks spread over the coasts of Latin America but Arcas is situated on the Guatemalan coast in a village called Hawaii. It was established in 1993 and is the most productive of the 28 turtle hatcheries in Guatemala. The protection of the Leatherback is of the upmost importance with only 2000 remaining in the Pacific Ocean but Olive Ridleys are also seen to lay eggs on the beaches of Parque Hawaii.
The park is very effective in tackling the environmental dangers, organising regular litter pick-ups, but the human threats are much more difficult to solve. There is much tension between conservationists and turtle hunters as the conservationists, unfortunately, are only entitled to 20% of the nests in theory.
On my patrols at the early hours of the morning, I was able to witness the bribery between the volunteers and the hunters, where we would offer money or food coupons for the unborn turtles. As turtles are a delicacy in Guatemala and seen to be an aphrodisiac, the volunteers would more often than not come back empty handed. Although the work is slow progress, the organisations are helping significantly with 55,000 sea turtle eggs having been collected in 2013. However, it is our responsibility to put pressure on these governments by volunteering as often as we can.
'human threats are much more difficult to solve'
South American Turtles
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'it is our responsibility to put pressure on these governments'
Rachel White