How The Work Is Done
& How We Can Help

Always on the lookout for nesting female Lora turtles, Fernando and his assistants patrol the beach, both on foot and on four-wheelers. Nests of eggs are protected from poachers and natural predators, such as crabs, birds and coyotes. Some nests are relocated into a secured compound; others are kept in their original location, with outward signs of their presence (i.e. mama turtle tracks) removed to keep them hidden from predators. Careful records are kept regarding the location of each nest, the date found and estimated hatching times. Several hundred nests are cared for in this way every year.

Irma, Fernando’s wife, takes care of much of the scheduling and organizational aspects of their work. She invites thousands of school students from all over Mexico to participate in the release of the hatchlings. Many children, from the very young to college students, benefit from this exciting and educational experience. Holding the adorable little hatchlings in their hands, and watching them battle against the odds as they head out into the gigantic sea, the children gain a greater appreciation for the lives of this endangered species. Feeling good about helping to protect the sea turtles, these students also become more excited about being good stewards of our planet!

You can make a difference

Get Involved!!
Immediate Needs

Money for:

• Maintenance & Fuel for the four-wheelers
• Purchase of additional four-wheelers
• Purchase of a pickup truck for general and emergency transportation
• Financial support for Fernando and his family & a few part-time employees
• Creating an education/research center

What will happen to these turtles
when Fernando is gone???

OK, I don’t mean to sound morbid, but you know Fernando won’t always be around to run this program! Will there be another individual as dedicated as Papa Tortuga? Not likely! Rather than pursuing a lucrative career or enjoying frivolous hobbies, Fernando has unselfishly dedicated over thirty years of his life to rescuing Tortuga Loras (Kemp’s Ridleys). He is responsible for bringing their numbers up from only a few nesting females on the Tecolutla beaches in 1975 to around 300 (2005)! Continued effort is needed to fully restore the population of this endangered species to what it once was. Without such work, the number of Tortuga Loras will drastically decline.

Our dream

Please help us keep Papa Tortuga’s work going!!

Donations can be made through Paypal or by check, make payable to:

Tecolutla Turtle Preservation Project

and mail to:

Tecolutla Turtle Preservation Project
207 Cooper Dr.
Wallingford, PA 19086

Hands-On Opportunities!

Plans are being made to organize trips to Tecolutla for groups from the United States, so that more people may participate in the experience of releasing Tortuga Lora hatchlings -- in conjunction with enjoying the many natural attractions in the area. High school and college Spanish Clubs & Ecology Clubs, Boy Scout troops, as well as adult service clubs are just a few of the organizations that may want to take advantage of this opportunity. Other attractions near Tecolutla include: El Tajin Archeological Site, beautiful waterfalls, fishing and scuba diving or just relaxing in the rays on the beach!

us if you are interested in experiencing Tecolutla & the sea turtles yourself!