WWF- CSF Partnership supports funding for the care of olive ridley, black and leatherback turtles in the Mexican Pacific coast

The recent increase in temperatures has had a negative impact on the birth of sea turtles in the Mexican Pacific coast. However, the research and monitoring carried out by biologists and members of the Fondo Oaxaqueño de la Conservación de la Naturaleza (Oaxacan Fund for Nature Conservation), in coordination with the work of social organizations, could help to reverse this threat.

Currently, this Fund receives financing from the partnership formed by the World Wide Fund for Nature and Carlos Slim Foundation (WWF- CSF Partnership) and the Fomento Ecológico Banamex (Banamex Ecological Promotion).

In the last four years the coast of the State of Oaxaca, where three of the seven species of turtles in the world spawn, recorded temperatures within the sand of more than 34 degrees Celsius. This scenario caused the decrease of births, mostly of females.

Based on the research carried out by biologists and members of the Oaxacan Fund for the Conservation of Nature, through its ‘Sea Turtles’ program, the experts installed “shading nets” in the pens where the nests are transferred to protect them not only from human predators, but also from natural ones. The main objective of the “shading nets” was to reduce the temperature and investigate their impact.

After the placement of the shade, a reduction in temperature of up to 2 degrees in the nests was achieved. As a result, the embryonic development was guaranteed, achieving turtle births.
Arely Penguilly, biologist graduated from the Autonomous University of Hidalgo who is part of the project, stressed that one of the factors that contribute to the preservation of turtles are conservation centers, which require investment because their maintenance is expensive. “Some centers have already an economic project that helps them to cover these costs to a large extent (by entities such as the WWF-CSF Partnership and Banamex Ecological Promotion), so activities are not slowed down,” Penguilly said.

Since its creation, Carlos Slim Foundation has had environmental protection as one of its main goals, which is why it has promoted various alliances with important institutions dedicated to the preservation and maintenance of a healthy environment that supports the development of people.

The WWF- CSF Partnership works in six priority regions (Mexican Mesoamerican Reef, Chihuahuan Desert, Gulf of California, Monarch Butterfly, Oaxaca and Chiapas) with local, national and international partners, adding efforts and financial and human resources in sustainable development and conservation of biodiversity. It also works hand in hand with federal and state government agencies so that investments contribute to meet national and regional goals.