Colombia’s Navy normally takes on some of the most dangerous jobs, usually interdiction of drugs, illegal weapons, other contraband and fugitives along the country’s Pacific Coast.
Tough jobs for tough guys. Soft-hearted tough guys. Who would have known these people would show the same dedication in protecting baby turtles as with going after bad guys?
The Olive Ridley sea turtles hatchlings are smaller than the palm of a human hand. Their first mission is enormous compared to their minuscule size. The hatchlings need to walk up to 20 meters just to reach the sea.
Every year, thousands of Olive Ridley hatchlings find themselves alone in the shorelines. Upon hatching they need to immediately reach the sea from their nests unaided.
In order to reach the ocean, numerous threats hinder them from reaching the water. They are in danger of being killed by dogs, birds and crabs. Matured turtles coming in to lay offspring are hunted for their eggs, meat, skins and shells. Both young and adult turtles also face being scorched under the sun.
Victoria Kellaway, co-author of the bestselling satire, “Colombia, A Comedy of Errors,” witnessed the extraordinary efforts of the Colombian Navy. She captured the moment when the Navy assisted the hatchlings on El Almejal beach near Bahia Solano in Choco.
Victoria fell in love with Colombia during her travels six years ago, and made it her home.
Her captivating pictures show the heavily-armed navymen, assisting every baby sea turtle on the beach. The Navy makes sure no one gets left behind in reaching the ocean.
Female sea turtles come to the beach between the months of June and October. Hundreds of them flock the country’s beach to build nest and lay over their eggs. They can lay as much as one hundred eggs in the nest they dug.
These female turtles will eventually leave their nests as soon as they are done laying eggs. They go back to the ocean to incubate for at least 60 days. The time needed for the eggs to hatch and begin their journey as a group back to the ocean.
Living dangerously
Along with other species of turtles, the Olive Ridley sea turtles face multiple dangers. One primary cause of danger is poaching; other includes accidental entanglement in fishing nets and rapid destruction of their habitat.
Mother Nature’s climate change which quickly alters sand temperature, affects the sex of the hatchlings.
Colombia’s efforts to save these tiny creatures are one step ahead. They founded several charities to patrol their beaches at night. If situation calls for it, they collect these newly laid turtle eggs. Moreover, they transfer them to their protected zone for them to hatch untouched.
The journey back to the ocean is vital for the sea turtles’ development. They must do it alone but not without the help of the Colombian Navy.
The post Colombia’s Navy Gives VIP Protection To Newly Hatched Sea Turtles appeared first on Newsline.
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