Todos Tortugueros A.C.

Conservation, Protection and Education in Todos Santos, Mexico

 Todos Tortugueros A.C. is a non-profit organization dedicated the protection of endangered sea turtles and their habitat in Todos Santos, Baja California Sur Mexico. The beaches of Todos Santos are the nesting grounds of Olive Ridley,  Black, and Leatherback sea turtles, all of which are on the endangered species list. Through conservation, education, and egg rescue patrols Todos Tortugueros hopes to replenish the populations of local sea turtles, and protect their fragile handfulofhatchlings.jpghabitat.  In the 2007-08 season, working in partnership with ASUPMATOMA overhandfulofhatchlings.jpg 14,000 Olive Ridley eggs were rescued, and one Leatherback nest protected.  Children from four different schools were involved in regular workshops, festivals, and beach clean-ups.  Community members and local fishermen participated in meetings and conferences on sea turtle conservation.  See below for future events where you can participate in the conservation effort.

 Leatherback Nesting Activity in Todos Santos!

leatherbacknesting.jpgThe first Leatherback of the season nested on October 29, 2008.  Teams have now rescued three nests, representing over 150 criticrally endangered Leatherback eggs.  We now know there are at least two, possibly three leatherbacks who will continue to nest in our region, and since the leatherback nests up to seven times in a season, we are expecting between 14 and 21 nests this year!

Biologists and Technicians will be incubating the precious eggs in an Invernadero, which is like a green house.  It ensures proper temperatures for optimal survival of the incubating eggs.  Without this Invernadero, the temperature in Todos Santos is too low for leatherback eggs laid after November 1 to survive.  

Once the turtles start hatching, round the clock supervision of the Invernadero will be required, as the high temperatures can be dangerouleatherbackhatchlings.JPGs to a newly hatched turtle.  The first nest should be hatching around December 30, 2008.

Muchas Gracias to Biologist Elizabeth Gonzalez, and Rene Pinal of ASUPMATOMA for donating the Invernadero to Todos Santos.  The leatherback now has hope of being brought back from the brink of extinction.

For more information on the Leatherback project in Todos Santos, or if you are interested in volunteering for Leatherback patrols or providing a gas sponsorship, please contact field coordinator Francesca Dvorak at todostortugueros@live.com or in Todos Santos at 145-0353. 

 Hundreds of Baby Turtles Safely Reach the Ocean!

              turtlerelease.jpg                              Everyday at sunset hundreds of Olive Ridley Hatchlings are being released at La Cachora Beach in Todos Santos.  Teams have collected 199 Olive Ridley nests since July.  This represents approximately 20,000 baby sea turtles.  Hatchling Releases will continue through December 2008.  For directions to turtle nursery or to participate in releases, email todostortugueros@live.com

             Last updated November 15, 2008

Adopt A Hatchling Program

Adopt A Hatchling Now

                            Click on me!

Participate in our Adopt a Hatchling program and help save thousands of sea turtle hatchlings. Participants recieve a Sea Turtle Birth Certificate, and photo of their hatchling. Proceeds go directly to rescue and care of eggs and hatchlings. To  participate, click on the Hatchling above.

Meet Our Team Members 
 paty.jpg   jorge.jpg
         Contact Paty                                    Contact Jorge
              President                                                         Vigilante

seaturtlestodossantos.jpg   francesca.jpg
       Contact German                                 Contact  Francesca
         Biologist Technician                                            Field Coordinator
irene.jpg josue.jpg tomas.jpg
         Irene                            Josue                            Tomas

Upcoming Events:

October  2008               Leatherback Patrols Begin
November 23                Punta Lobos Beach Clean up 9am                        December 30                First Leatherback nest due to hatch             
January 2009                Second annual Leatherback Festival in Todos Santos

Bilingual meetings are held the second Monday of each month at 6pm downtown in the Centro Cultural.  All are Welcome!

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Black Sea Turtle Found Dead at Punta Lobos

Wednesday, June 4, Vigilantes German Agundez and Jorge Marquez were checking a reported turtle track, when German saw a young Black Sea Turtle on the beach at Punta Lobos. blackseaturtle.jpgThe turtle had been cut open and was dead. There was also the track of an Olive Ridley who didn't make a nest. This "false crawl" is evidence that our sea turtle nesting season has begun.

Now is the time to turn off exterior lighting at night, and stop driving on our beaches. Even if you live in town, turning off your exterior lights will reduce the "glow" of the town at night which inhibits nesting.

If you see nesting activity or turtle tracks please contact one of us.

President: Paty Baum 145-0882

Vigilante: Jorge 044.612.141.4726

Biologist Technician: German Agundez 044.612.117.2617

Field Operations Coordinator: Francesca 044.612.169.4254

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leatherbacknest.jpg leatherbacknesting.jpg leatherbackhatchlings.JPG leatherbacknestrescue8nov08.jpg
tomas.jpg josue.jpg irene.jpg turtlerelease.jpg
golfina2008.jpg paty.jpg jorge.jpg oliveridleynesting.jpg
handfulofhatchlings.jpg francesca.jpg blackseaturtle.jpg hatchlingentersocean.jpg
greenturtleygerman.jpg futurobiologos.jpg ninosytortugas1.jpg seaturtlestodossantos.jpg
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Muchisimos Gracias!
New 2008 Members:
Jennifer Rosen
Jay Egan
Leslie Shanbrom
Harry Tongelidis
Carlos y Karla Freeman
Jaime Dobies y Laura Daniels

2008 Donors
Judy Rupp y Craig Mueller
Ryan Simpson
Sharon Morris
Lee y Brenda Sherwood
 
Gracias to the following for
cash donations during the 2007 season:

Marylynn Hood
Debra Chapman
Bob Bentley
Elroy (Las Brisas)
Kristen Blake
Jon Blake

Muchas Gracias to Kris & Jamie Lundt and the Holman Family for sponsoring this website!

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