San Pancho and Turtle News from Costa Verde Ecological Group Frank D. Smith - Ecological Group of Costa Verde
May 3, 2015

Hola Volunteers, Supporters and Readers ~

Not much turtle activity this month. Only four additional nests were found, bringing the total to 1,247 for the 2014 season. To date, the number of hatchlings released this season comes to 89,833. By the end of April only eight nests remain within the beach nursery. We are now 37,700 shy of releasing our 1,000,000th hatchling.

Within the first week of April, the buggy's refurbished front axle was tack-welded onto the frame along with the replacement of several seconds of pipe railing. During the last week of April, all welding was complete including the column holding the torsion bars and the bracing for the transmission.

The welding or reinforcement of the buggy’s fenders will happen in early May along with a complete paint job installing the ignition system, gas tank, and seats. Total cost comes to US$1,260. That’s a lot of money for us but if all goes well, we will have no buggy problems this coming season (fingers crossed).

April volunteers: Joslin, Summer, Starlie, Manuel and Lisa. We have 5 major openings or rooms available for anyone that may be interested in joining us this summer (couples or individuals.) For a look at the lineup, please go to Schedule.

Weather-wise: Daytime temperatures in the very high 70°s to high 80°s, nighttime temps from the low 60°s to low 70°s.  No unusual weather events; no rain, some high clouds off the southern Pacific and a rise in humidity. The lagoon is closed to the sea while the river has a small flow into the lagoon, which is very unusual for early May. “When I first arrived here in 1991, and throughout the preceding ten years, the river running through San Pancho had a good flow throughout the year.” Heavy rain in early March has kept the jungle a lush green into May although the Jungle needs another heavy rain in May to keep its beautiful colors throughout the year. April rainfall was 0.00 inches, 5.41 inches for the year. Long range forecast for the 2015 hurricane season calls for less activity season. We’ll see...

On May 2nd, twenty students from the University of Guadalajara, Ixtapa helped us kick-off the 2015 nesting by cleaning and repairing the box nursery.   

Town and country wise: After Semana Santa tourism dropped off sharply with slight rebound in mid-month. The new one-way streets and one-side of the road parking seems to have reduced traffic congestion significantly but who can tell since most tourists have left. By the end of April, the peso was floating around 14.4 to 15.1 depending on a dollar/pesos exchange, ATM or check.

Frank D. Smith, Director
Grupo Ecológico de la Costa Verde, A.C.
Project Tortuga
Telephone: (311) 258-4100

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