The remains of a stranded turtle may have been in the sun for more than a year

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During field trips in the Isletas de Píritu by the RAO Anzoátegui team, the remains of an adult Green turtle (Chelonia mydas) were found approximately one and a half years dead.

During field trips in the Isletas de Píritu by the RAO Anzoátegui team, the remains of an adult Green turtle (Chelonia mydas) were found approximately one and a half years dead.

The finding occurred during the walks and tours that are conducted monthly in the area to keep track of the activity of these reptiles. Pedro Vernet, biologist and scientific leader of the project being carried out by La Tortuga Foundation, said, while reviewing the remains, that it must have lost its way in the search for the best nesting site. Its death must have been caused by dehydration, as it did not show any signs of having been attacked by humans.

Although it is not a common behavior, sometimes female sea turtles, when going out to lay their eggs, get lost or do not find the right place to lay their eggs, and are then exposed to the scorching sun, which leads to their death. According to the expert, there have been several times he has encountered something similar, especially when the nesting area is on a small island.

"This female does not die from hunger but from the direct action of the sun and without the possibility of water nearby; I know of cases where the turtles are left near vegetation or a small water source and manage to survive a few days, but the sun does not spare them," he added. We must not forget that these animals live in the sea and only the females come out to lay their eggs. Getting stranded on the sand can be fatal if we take into account that it can reach a temperature between 40° and 50° Celsius at midday.

Night walks have begun

The night walks are important activities to carry out because they are the most feasible opportunity to find spawning females. These tours have already begun for this team that for a whole night walked in silence and equipped with their red lights (activated when necessary) to collect the information that feeds the database that is being built for the state of Anzoátegui.

Accompanied by an ally such as Mr. Luis Marval, a fisherman of the area, the activity only stopped when close to dawn and after the vigil the team decided to go to rest, there having been no nesting activity.

During the vigils it is important to remain silent, wear as dark clothing as possible, and stay together so as not to disorient the turtles that come ashore. These vigils are accompanied by walks along the beach so as not to miss any nesting, especially when the beaches are very long.