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Sea turtles

Turtles weighing up to 900 kg lay their eggs on our beaches

Giant sea turtles come to the beaches of Margarita to lay their eggs. The leatherback turtle weighs up to 900 kg. Local volunteers mark and guard the nests, and at the hatchery near Parguito they help the hatchlings reach the sea safely. Juntos podemos cuidarlas – together we can protect them.

Sea turtle hatchery (vivero) near Parguito
Sea turtle hatchery (vivero) near Parguito
A sea turtle nest right on our beach. Volunteers guard it until the hatchlings emerge.
A sea turtle nest right on our beach. Volunteers guard it until the hatchlings emerge.
A leatherback on a beach in Nueva Esparta
A leatherback on a beach in Nueva EspartaPhoto: Gerardo Chavarri, iNaturalist, CC BY 4.0
A leatherback returning to the sea
A leatherback returning to the seaPhoto: Gerardo Chavarri, iNaturalist, CC BY 4.0
A leatherback up close
A leatherback up closePhoto: Gerardo Chavarri, iNaturalist, CC BY 4.0
Leatherback hatchlings from a Margarita nest
Leatherback hatchlings from a Margarita nestPhoto: Valeriadesola, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0, modified
Marked turtle nests on a Margarita beach
Marked turtle nests on a Margarita beachPhoto: Valeriadesola, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0, modified

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