Nearly 100 endangered turtles hatched on a Brazilian beach last March 22. The area was reportedly deserted due to the partial lockdown imposed in Paulista, a town in the north-eastern state of Pernambuco.
(LOOK: Dozens of sea turtles hatched in Boracay)
According to Paulista City Hall, 97 Hawksbill sea turtles made their way to the sea unencumbered by obstacles.
The turtles are typically very vulnerable right after hatching, with many of them unable to even reach the sea after having hatched. Their survival is routinely threatened by beachgoers who tend to step on them as well as hungry birds that snatch them up.
(LOOK: This Event Aims to Raise Awareness on the Current State of Sea Turtles in La Union)
However, with residents of Pernambuco banned from congregating on the beach due to the spread of COVID-19 the Hawksbill sea turtles found a much clearer path to the ocean.
“In all, 291 sea turtles were born on the coast of Paulista in 2020, with 87 green turtles and 204 hawksbill turtles. This time, due to preventive measures against the new coronavirus, the population was unable to closely monitor the birth,” Herbert Andrade, Environmental Manager at Paulista said of the event.
(WATCH: Cows Roam the Streets of Baguio City Amid Community Quarantine)
World Wildlife classifies the Hawksbill sea turtles’ existence as “vital to marine ecosystems and helps maintain the health of coral reefs and seagrass bed.”
What do you think about this?
Do you have a story for the WhenInManila.com Team? Email us at story.wheninmanila@gmail.com or send us a direct message at WhenInManila.com Facebook Page. Interact with the team and join the WhenInManila.com Community at WIM Squad! Join our WhenInManila.com community on Viber, as well!
