Wildlife

Anam steps up turtle patrols

Amidst reports of poaching, Anam pledges to find and prosecute those who ravage nests.

ALCIBÍADES CORTÉS/LA PRENSA

Endangered: The biggest attraction in the coastal area of the Tonosí district is the spawning massive sea turtles.953082

The Autoridad Nacional del Ambiente (Anam) in Los Santos yesterday launched an investigation to find those responsible for the looting of sea turtle nests on the Marinera beach in the district of Tonosí. The investigation was started after the agency received complaints from environmentalists about nests being looted. Turtle watching is one of the main tourist activities in the area during the nesting season, which lasts from July to November.

Three species of turtles, black, leatherback and hawksbill, nest on the beaches. All are protected species, and stealing their eggs is a crime.

The poachers have apparently been raiding the nests and taking hundreds of eggs at a time, which they then sell.

Anam officials said they plan to ask police to increase patrols in the area, and hope to identify the poachers so they can be prosecuted.

Sea turtles have had their nesting sites encroached upon by the development of coastal areas, which have caused a decrease in their numbers, leading to their protected status.