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Record number of endangered turtles hatch in Mexico

News imageEPA Olive ridley sea turtle hatchlings head to the water in the Sonora state, Mexico. Photo: 27 October 2020EPA
More than 2,250 baby olive ridley sea turtles have been released into the Gulf of California

Record numbers of an endangered species of turtle have hatched on a beach in northern Mexico, believed to be the result of reduced human activity during the coronavirus pandemic.

The indigenous Seri community in Sonora state said it released more than 2,250 baby olive ridley sea turtles into the Gulf of California.

The community usually releases about 500 of the small creatures every year.

Fishing and tourism limits mean their beach nests have not been as disturbed.

The olive ridley sea turtle, which is under threat globally, lays its eggs on the beaches of a number of Mexican states between May and September.

The species is considered to be facing a high risk of extinction in the wild.

News imageAFP Olive Ridley sea turtles make nests to lay their eggs at Ixtapilla Beach in Mexico. File photoAFP
Olive ridley sea turtles come to Mexico's Pacific beaches to lay their eggs

Mexico banned the capture of sea turtles in 1990, and there are stiff penalties for anyone caught hunting them.