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 There is no doubt that one of the oldest creatures in the world is the sea turtle. Having existed on this planet for over 200 million years, they have witnessed the disappearance of innumerable species of creatures. They have survived at least two great extinctions, including that of dinosaurs some 60 million years ago. These ancient creatures have seen the birth of our own species, and now, despite their enormous resistance, it is man himself who has driven them to the brink of their own extinction, and it is only man who can save them.
 Paradoxically, while some people are eager to consume the turtle's eggs in order to acquire their aphrodisiac powers -which they obviously do not possess, but which do contain a very high level of cholesterol that far from benefiting them, help cause heart attacks-, there is another group of persons interested in their preservation. During the season when the turtles come ashore to lay their eggs, from July to November, these folks patrol the beaches to pick up the eggs and bring them to special protected nesting sites around the Bay. Later, the baby turtles are released under supervised conditions that will contribute to the conservation of the sea turtle species.
NMexico's geographical location attracts most of the species during their nesting season, with thousands miles of coastline on both the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. Seven of the eight species of Marine Turtles in the world lay their eggs on Mexican beaches, that indeed represent a huge responsibility to take over for the future of these species.
 Around the Bay of Banderas, the most common is the Olive Ridley turtle (Lepidochely olivacea), whose nesting season begins in July. The eggs hatch 45 to 50 days later so the first hatchlings are born around the end of August. Each turtle lays approximately 100 eggs at a time, but the mortality rate is such that maybe one out of the hundred may reach adulthood.
Federal and Human resources are now on their way with more than five hundred Turtle camps on specific nesting sites all over the Nation's coast line. Biologists and volunteers develop the most significant job and are really the unsung heroes in the Conservation projects for marine Turtles in Mexico. Turtle Camps play a key roll for the survival of the turtles with nursery facilities, incubation sites and protection for the nests, they make sure most of the hatchlings arrive safely into the Sea, one of a hundred will eventually make it to adultness.
 In the Bay of Banderas, there are a number of protected turtle nesting sites where the measures have shown very good results. The most important of these with regard to the number of baby turtles released each year is the one in Nuevo Vallarta, in the charge of the Federal Department of Natural Resources (SEMARNAT). It is run by a group of volunteers who patrol the beaches night after night with no greater incentive than to help these magnificent creatures. A good way to contribute to the sea turtle's preservation is by visiting these grounds.
Eduardo Lugo Wildlife Connection
Email: cetacea@prodigy.net.mx
The publication of this article is possible thanks to the authorization of Prof. Fabio German Cupul Magaña, author of the books "Tales of natural history in Vallarta - University of Guadalajara" (Relatos de la historia natural vallartense - Universidad de Guadalajara) and "Natural environment: Selection of essays of scientific disclosure - Coastal University Center of the University of Guadalajara". (Ambiente natural: Selección de ensayos de divulgación científica - Centro Universitario de La Costa Universidad de Guadalajara.
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