Comments on: A Turtle Liberation: A Sad Story with a Happy Ending

By: Rose

Rose — Sun, 20 Aug 2023 17:34:36 +0000

Just to let you know, you shouldn’t touch baby sea turtles. Oils etc on your hands will kill them.

By: Audrey Scott

Audrey Scott — Wed, 30 Oct 2019 14:42:32 +0000

In reply to Emily.

Thanks, Emily, for this information on how to properly handle — and not touch — baby sea turtles. I do think that more turtle conservation groups are becoming more careful about this and providing a way to release them without having to touch them with human hands.

By: Emily

Emily — Thu, 08 Aug 2019 20:08:25 +0000

This is a great article, however, I do have to say that one must be careful. We are not supposed to touch baby Sea turtles because the oils from our hands affect their imprinting process. When a baby hatches, they imprint on the sand at that specific beach. That’s how it knows to return to that beach to lay its eggs when it’s an adult. If you touch the hatchling, the oils from your hands interfere with this process. I think many people don’t know this, and I didn’t know this until just recently. Many other turtle liberation groups keep the hatchlings in some kind of container or even a coconut shell in order to still be able to release the babies without touching them. Anyways, just something to keep in mind.

By: Daniel Noll

Daniel Noll — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 06:34:14 +0000

@Julio: We hope it remains this way and only improves. In the long run, it will not only be good for the environment and our humanity, but also for Mexico’s tourism business.

By: Julio Moreno

Julio Moreno — Sun, 28 Apr 2013 15:55:12 +0000

This is amazing. I am Mexican, and Mexico always surprises me. Looks like I will never finish it.
I had a similar experience a few years ago.
I saw a huge sea turtle wash up in Puerto Vallata and had heard of the turtle trade. Naturally, I thought that someone would grab it and try to harvest it, but when I returned, there were conservation officers that came out from seemingly nowhere. It is awesome that Mexico takes care of its natural beauty as much as its historical richness.

By: Daniel Noll

Daniel Noll — Tue, 03 Jul 2012 14:39:26 +0000

@Jemma: Different people, different cultures definitely have different ways of looking at things, living creatures included. The best (or maybe least) we can do is educate and lead by example.

By: Jemma

Jemma — Tue, 19 Jun 2012 06:28:55 +0000

I’m glad that there are still people like you. In China, they make baby turtles as decorations. They put them in a container with liquid and they say that the turtles will last for two to three months. Turtles in our country are already extinct because people eat them.

I hope someday I could also do something to help these little creatures.

By: Daniel Noll

Daniel Noll — Tue, 29 May 2012 03:06:37 +0000

@Chrissy: Based on a few discussions I’ve had in sustainable tourism forums on LinkedIn, there are other turtle protection and turtle release programs around the world. I don’t remember them all off hand, but I think there may be some in Malaysia, among other places.

Also, after posting this article to some forums, I think some other new turtle liberation programs might be launched!

By: Chrissy Travels

Chrissy Travels — Sat, 26 May 2012 17:08:13 +0000

What a nice story and adventure you were able to part it.
There should be more guided tours like this one. Are there other areas that have a similar turtle release program? Would love to see a list of other places since Mexico is not on my near future travel list.

By: Daniel Noll

Daniel Noll — Thu, 03 May 2012 16:01:55 +0000

@Nicholas: Yes, it’s a delicate balance. I considered the “human interference” but came to the conclusion that this time, it just might be worth it, even though some may argue that it’s not quite what nature had intended.

@Brimshack: They were indeed adorable.

@JoAnna: I’m sure you’d love it. It’s a great experience. And if there’s a similar program in Riviera Maya, I’m sure it melts the heart just the same.

@Abhishek: Community participation is key, but that the government realized this and facilitated it, is what makes this story unique.