Tourists put these sea turtle nests at risk. Local Mexicans intervened, and now 3,200 hatchlings are swimming free

On August 30, a Mexican nonprofit released over 3,200 sea turtles into the Gulf of Mexico. The release happened from a beach in northern Veracruz.

The group, Tortugas Fundación Yepez A.C., started in 1967. Fisherman Don Marcelino Yepez and his wife Librada Gerón, known as "Mama Turtle," founded it. Their son, Ricardo Yépez, now leads the mission.

Protecting Nests from Tourists

Yépez explained that tourists were harming nesting sea turtles and their eggs. People would get too close, touch, and even climb on the turtles.

Patrols increased in August after a pregnant green sea turtle died on a beach in Nautla, Veracruz. Yépez then warned tourists to give nesting turtles space.

His team set up protected sites. They moved nests from dangerous areas to small enclosures. This allowed the eggs to hatch safely.

Yépez thanked everyone who helped. He mentioned those who called in alerts and took responsibility for beach areas.

"We’re celebrating 59 years of work," Yépez said. "It’s 59 years of continuous seasons, of persistence." He credited God and his team for their ongoing success.

A Successful Release

Yépez announced the release of about 3,200 to 3,500 baby turtles. The team then released the hatchlings from buckets onto the sand. The tiny turtles raced towards the water, wiggling their flippers.

One Instagram user commented on the dedication. They noted that 59 years of effort is a lifetime of work.