San Pancho and Turtle News from Costa Verde Ecological Group Frank Smith - Costa Verde Ecological Group
August 11, 2020

Hola Volunteers and Supporters ~

Turtle wise: Since the beginning of the 2020 marine turtle nesting season on May 1st. we had recorded over 82 nests, all of which were relocated, another 8 nests were taken be poachers, and 9 turtles were found dead, unfortunately two were young Eastern Pacific. As mentioned in the last newsletter we will be covering the tracks and the nest sites with a palm prone drag pulled by the dune buggy. 

Because of the pandemic we will not be placing any nests within our box nursery, and will not be maintaining any type of beach nurseries this season. Consequently we will not be releasing hatchlings for public viewing. If you walk the beach between 10 PM and 1 AM, you may find some hatchlings making their way to the sea, but do not pick them up at night.

We are asking members of the community to help us protect nests that are hatching naturally especially during the daytime. If you find any hatchlings on hot dry sand move them down to the cool damp sand.

Since we are not able to host visitors at our nursery due to the pandemic, PayPal is now our only means of receiving donations. We would like to thank July’s donors for contributing to our Program.  Without their help we could not continue our work: Jack and Franny Bischof, James French, Jonathan and Carolyn Kingson, Karen Hope, Daniel Austin, Berry Rothstein, Jenifer Nelsen, Gale Greer, Michell Carlton, Dianne Forthmen, Lois Barton and Marek Bering.

July’s Volunteers: Manuel Murrieta, Julio Gonzales, America Rios Tejas, Juan Flores and family, Karen Sorum and Hallie Loveridge, Cora McClelland and Maddie Wilson.

We are in a serious need of one person, or could be a couple, or a family to solely occupy the last volunteer apartment, one or more of these volunteers must be a good driver. In any case we are in serious need of help from September to November.

Weather-wise: Temperatures during the day were in the mid 80° to low 90°, while night time temps were in the low to mid 70°. 9.76 inches of rain in July, the total rainfall for the year came to 17.46 inches.  No tropical storm activity yet. The lagoon is stilled sealed off from the sea and loaded with tons of Water Hyacinth which will unfortunately end up dry and covering the beach.

Need your help: Lights on the beach are confusing and killing both hatchlings and adult turtles. If you own a house that has lights that face the beach, tell your renters to keep the outside lights that face the beach off after 10 PM. Turning on all the outside lights only tells a thief that you have something of value you need to hide.

The Dune buggy’s flywheel has malfunctioned and was repaired in Sayulita just before the end of July. We temporarily replaced the buggy with my Honda CRV.

Don’t become lazy and drop-your-guard, the worst of the pandemic has not arrived yet and you need to protect yourself, family and neighbors.

•  Remember a spike in Corona cases is not caused by the virus at all, it is caused by human carelessness and nothing else.

•  The virus is primarily spread by droplets from the mouth and nose, if you cough, sneeze, crying, singing, shouting, or boisterous you can spread the virus like wildfire.  if possible keep your voice soft and always use a handkerchief when coughing, sneezing.

•  You are not protecting yourself and friends if you’re not wearing a good face mask.

•  The minimum distance from others is six feet, although this is only a minimum safe distance, as far from others as possible is considerably better.  Also when talking to others have the wind or breeze at your back.

•  Wash your hands as often as possible, and keep your hands off your face.

•  The virus falls to the surface so leave your shoes outside the house.

•  For hikers, keep your trips to isolated wild areas.

•  It is a good idea to limit trips, any interaction with large groups of people should be limited.

•  To help your immune system try vitamin C, D and Zinc. (Take Vitamin D in the morning.)

These five websites that can give you an ideas of what the virus is up to:

•  For all countries
•  For all countries 2
•  For Mexico 
•  For the USA 
•  For Canada 

Frank Smith, Director
Grupo Ecológico de la Costa Verde, A.C.
Project Tortuga
Tel. 311-258-4100

This content was submitted by a member of the community. We'd like to hear from you, too! To share stories, photos, video or events, please send them here.

  Learn about Ecological Group of Costa Verde