During the lockdown due to Covid-19, hundreds of sea turtles were born on Paulista beach (in Brazil), including 200 hawksbill turtles.
Hundreds of newborn baby turtles running free towards the sea. It happened a few days ago on the Brazilian coast, exactly on Paulista beach, in the state of Pernambuco.
In reality, this is not an unusual event for the seaside resort, but this time - thanks to the lockdown caused by the Covid-19 emergency - the little turtles were able to enjoy the exciting moment in complete tranquility, without being disturbed by those in usually flocks to the beach to watch the eggs hatch. Only a team of authorized scientists from the municipality's Urban Sustainability Center (NSU) was present to monitor their birth and contact with the sea.
“In all, 291 sea turtles were born on the Paulista coast in 2020, with 87 green and 204 hawksbill turtles. This time, due to preventive measures against the new coronavirus, the population was unable to closely observe the birth ".
explains Herbert Andrade, Paulista's environmental manager, clarifying that this restrictive measure was intended to preserve both the health of the technicians involved in the operation and the citizens of the area.
That coming from Pernambuco is news that bodes well. In fact, the largest group is made up of Hawksbill turtles, specimens that - unfortunately - have been included in the red list of endangered species. The main dangers that threaten these sea turtles include fishing, poaching and the consequent destruction of their natural habitat.
And in this period, when the beaches are deserted due to the coronavirus pandemic, nature takes advantage of it to give itself a respite. In other parts of the world, sea turtles have also returned to enjoy their spaces on the beaches, safe from poachers and intrusive tourists. Just about ten days ago it also happened in India, on the coast of Odisha, where hundreds of turtles of the Olive Ridley species were able to nest undisturbed.
Source: Paulista City Hall
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