World Turtle Day: Winning the Race Against Time

“Let’s Shellebrate!” is the rallying cry of turtle lovers worldwide this month, with the “shellebrations” reaching a climax on May 23, the 25th anniversary of World Turtle Day.

Sponsored by American Tortoise Rescue, a nonprofit organization established in 1990 to protect all tortoise and turtle species, the day was created to celebrate turtles and tortoises and protect their disappearing habitats worldwide. Turtle lovers throw parties, organize fundraisers, and take “shellfies” to share on social media.

While turtles have survived for more 200 million years (they outlived the dinosaurs), approximately 61% of the worldwide population are threatened or already extinct. According to experts, turtles, often associated with wisdom and longevity, are the most threatened of the major group of vertebrates, more so than birds, mammals, and fish.

“We inhabit the planet with countless different creatures,” the event’s organizers stated. “World Turtle Day reminds us to be respectful of the ecological balance and be sensitive to our animal friends. It’s in our best interest to share the planet with turtles harmoniously and responsibly as part of our natural heritage.”

Sea turtles play a vital role in coastal and marine ecosystems. In fact, the presence of turtles is an indicator of the health of these ecosystems. For example, turtles are natural predators of jellyfish and keep their population at bay. Without them, jellyfish would infest the oceans and cause the extinction of other species. In addition, the hatchlings of sea turtles are eaten by many species of fish and seabirds that are part of these ecosystems. Without the turtles, an imbalance would occur that could lead to their collapse.

Because everything in nature is interrelated, turtles play a unique role in the preservation of the shoreline in Los Cabos.

If sea turtles diminish in number, both the beach and marine systems at the tip of the Baja Peninsula will suffer. Sea turtles use beaches and dunes to nest and lay approximately 100 eggs per nest. They not only dig holes that are inhabited by other creatures, but they also keep beaches clean by feeding on dead fish that wash up on shore. Dune plants use the nutrients from turtle eggs to grow and become stronger. Without the turtles, dune vegetation would lose a major source of nutrients and would not be healthy or strong enough to anchor the dunes and form a wall to defend the coast against high waves. Without turtles, the fragile balance of the ecosystem would be seriously affected. In time, the beaches would erode and wash away. The negative impact to tourism would be incalculable.

How endangered are sea turtles? For centuries, human demand for turtle meat, eggs, skin, and shells have greatly reduced their populations. In addition, destruction of feeding and nesting habitats and pollution of the world’s oceans have taken a negative toll on sea turtle populations. The perpetuation of the species hangs in the balance.

Three of seven of the world’s sea turtle species live and reproduce in Los Cabos. The Olive Ridley turtle population, in particular, is recovering favorably. There’s also the brown (or black) turtle; and the leatherback turtle, which attains a length of seven feet and a weight of over 2,000 pounds.

Since 2003, Pueblo Bonito Golf & Spa Resorts has served as an environmental custodian by safeguarding sea turtle nests from predators. The program’s mission is to return turtle hatchlings to the sea to boost the survival rate of an endangered reptile that’s crucial to the region’s ecosystem.

Twenty-two years ago, a scant 83 nests were safeguarded. In 2024, more than 1,500 nests were protected, a significant increase. Nesting typically occurs between June 15 and December 7. The incubation period for turtle eggs is approximately 45 days.

At the appointed hour later this year, thousands of turtle hatchlings the size of silver dollars will scurry across the beach to the sea. These gentle reptiles need all the help they can get to safely reach the water, attain maturity, and increase their numbers.

Guests of Pueblo Bonito Resorts can join conservation team members to carry the hatchlings of endangered sea turtles to the shallow surf, greatly enhancing their chances of survival. Last year, 145,000 hatchlings were successfully released.
In sum, World Turtle Day promises a better future where humans and turtles can coexist peacefully. Protecting these animals means protecting our future.

Plan your next Pueblo Bonito visit during the turtle hatching season, and witness the conservation efforts firsthand!