Protecting Sea Turtles in Careyes Since 1983
For more than four decades, the Sea Turtle Protection and Conservation Center at Teopa Beach Sanctuary has helped protect sea turtles along Mexico’s Pacific coast. Since 1983, the program has safeguarded more than 36,000 nests and released over 2.5 million hatchlings.
Each night, the team patrols six kilometers of beach, making four rounds to locate and protect nests. It’s steady, hands-on work that gives hatchlings a better chance at survival and helps keep Careyes’ beaches safe for nesting turtles.
Moving Forward, Together
This year, the program received its first government grant from Mexico’s National Commission of Natural Protected Areas (CONANP). The support is helping improve the hatchery enclosures and strengthen the center’s conservation work.
A separate donation funded the renovation of the center’s cabaña in January. We’re also grateful to Manuel Matos Gil, who helped arrange the purchase and delivery of an ATV so the team can continue its beach patrols and nest protection.
Planting the Seeds of Conservation
Conservation also means helping the next generation understand why sea turtles matter. Through the Careyes Foundation, the program reaches more than 400 children each year, teaching them about turtles, their role in healthy ecosystems, and the threats they face.
School visits to the camp give children the chance to experience hatchling releases firsthand and build a personal connection with the wildlife and coastline around them. In communities where the illegal sale of sea turtle eggs remains a challenge, environmental education is an important step toward a lasting culture of protection.
Help Keep This Work Going
Our heartfelt thanks go to the staff, volunteers, and community members who have kept the sea turtle camp running over the years. Their time, hard work, and commitment have helped protect thousands of nests and release millions of hatchlings.
We hope to carry this legacy forward by continuing to improve the camp, including building a palapa to provide shade for visiting schoolchildren and other groups.
Would you like to help sea turtles continue nesting safely on the beaches of Careyes? Reach out to the Careyes Foundation. Every contribution makes a difference.
