CANCUN, MEX ICO—Grupo Sunset World announced that the sea turtle nesting season at the Sunset Royal hotel beach began on June 4 with the arrival of a Loggerhead turtle. To date, turtles have laid 107 nests containing a total of 12,664 eggs at the hotel’s beach; from these, 870 hatchlings have emerged and been released.
Additionally, Grupo Sunset World reported that of the four sea turtle species that typically visit this beach, only two have arrived so far this year: the Loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta) and the Green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas).
It is worth noting that one of the beaches receiving the highest number of turtles is located directly opposite the Sunset Royal hotel. Consequently, the Department of Ecology regularly trains security staff under the Sea Turtle Protection and Conservation Program to safeguard female sea turtles as they arrive, lay their eggs, and depart.
Staff members are also responsible for collecting eggs, safely placing them in protected enclosures, and caring for the baby turtles once they hatch and are ready for release into the sea. Hotel security personnel learn and practice the following skills:
- Beach preparation;
- Specifications for handling nesting females;
- Site selection and enclosure construction;
- Clutch collection and reburial;
- Egg conservation techniques;
- Controlled release of hatchlings; and
- Monitoring, counting, and statistical reporting.
It is important to note that, to ensure the safety of the hatchlings, their release must take place at night and without an audience.
