BABY SEA TURTLE RESCUE SEASON BEGINS IN PUERTO VALLARTA

09-02-2009

Family-Friendly Puerto Vallarta Offers Kids the Opportunity to Learn More about Wildlife and Ecology

 

NEW YORK – Sept 1, 2009 – Sea turtles are making their way back to the shores of Puerto Vallarta in their ancient annual cycle of reproduction. This is a unique educational opportunity where children are sure to have fun while learning about this protected species. Numerous hotels in Puerto Vallarta run a marine turtle conservation and protection program with the help of a professional marine biologist where the eggs are incubated in their nests to best preserve natural conditions. Once the hatchlings are born and ready to be set free into their natural habitat, the various hotels invite their guests to aid in the release of the newborn hatchlings on the beaches so they find their way into the water. 

 

Some of the hotels that participate in the program include the CasaMagna Marriot Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa, Velas Vallarta Suite Resort, Sheraton Buganvillas Resort,  Dreams Puerto Vallarta, and Presidente Inter-Continental.

 

The main objective of the program is to protect the eggs from looting and natural predators in order to help the sea turtle population grow and teach resort guests about environmental conservation. Each night, throughout the sea turtle season, from July to December, resort staff members at properties located along the beach head down to the shore to gather sea turtle eggs. After 45 days of protected incubation, the baby turtles hatch and are later released into the sea by resort guests in company of the marine biologist.

 

In 2008, more than 81,000 turtles were released from the beaches of Puerto Vallarta of which approximately 8,000 turtles are expected to survive. Within 10 years, the females will return and lay eggs at the same beach they hatched.

Preserving the American Crocodile

 

A family vacation in Puerto Vallarta also allows kids the opportunity to learn about efforts to protect the American crocodile.

 

The “El Quelele” lagoon is a wildlife preserve where a special facility was created to protect the American Crocodile and its habitat. Families can take a canal tour through the lagoon’s mangroves and get close to the birds, crocodiles, and other native species.

 

Kids and adults alike will also enjoy a visit to the University of Guadalajara’s Crocodile and Reptile Research Center where visitors have the opportunity to hold crocodile hatchlings as well as learn more about the American crocodile species from expert biologists.

 

Additional information on Puerto Vallarta is available at www.visitpuertovallarta.com

 

###

[Back to Press Releases Main]