Sea turtles that had been affected by starvation and severe dehydration returned to the Caribbean Sea after a brief but emotional liberation carried out by specialists from Xcaret Park.
Three juvenile hawksbill turtles were found and brought to Xcaret Hospital in serious medical conditions when they were between 8 and 9 months of age. The hospital gave them special care for more than a year until they recovered their capacity to survive in the ocean, at which time their return to the sea was scheduled.
In addition nine green sea turtles who came to the hospital a few days after being born, also in serious health conditions, after 12 months of care they achieved the ideal size that allows them to have better opportunities to survive, and they also were returned to their habitat.
With a rehab success rate of 67%, Xcaret Park in Cancun and Riviera Maya is the most important center of rescue and rehabilitation of sea turtles of Mexico, an altruistic work as part of its commitment to preserve the deterioration of marine reptile populations in our country, particularly the species of white or green hawksbill, loggerhead and leatherback.
The sea turtles treated at Xcaret Hospital arrived with injuries in flippers caused by fishing lines and nets, damages in their digestive tract from swallowing hooks, skull and shell fractures caused by boat propellers, dog and jaguar bites in the head and limbs, as well as dehydration and anorexia.
Xcaret Park, together with Flora, Fauna y Cultura de México, has the most important turtle conservation program in Mexico, with more than 30 years of uninterrupted work helping more than 10 million sea turtle hatchlings.