Did you know that it’s Endangered Species Day?
May 15, 2008 by Jozef Winter
Unbeknown to most, tomorrow, May 16, is Endangered Species Day. It’s about time we had a such a day, and I’m not quite sure why it hasn’t happened sooner. Nevertheless, we’re happy it’s here and we are hoping it will create a good deal of awareness of the some 5,000 species on the endangered list. Recently the Polar Bear was added to the list, and some may herald this as a victory, but others not.
While there is much to still worry about, and conservation efforts that are failing due to political and business pressure for ‘progress’ or changes in ecosystems due to climate change, there is some good news out there. The Stop Extinction website offers resources and tips to help protect listed species and provides a ton of information. Still, there are always challenges.
One such group that is both experiencing great successes and frustrating challenges is the Association for the Protection of the Environment and the Marine Turtle in Southern Baja (ASUPMATOMA, from their Spanish namesake). Based in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, this non-profit organization has been committed, for the last 18 years, to the protection of sea turtles and their habitat. I had an opportunity to speak with the founder of ASUPMATOMA, Rene Pinal, who shed some light on some of the work they do and how they got started.
Initially he bought the 2,000 acre property with no intention of using it for conservation, but as his family settled there and they saw the turtles coming ashore to lay their eggs, and subsequently witnessed the babies emerging from the sand to struggle their way to the water, he knew he had to help protect the fragile habitat. In 1995 he officially established the non-profit NGO and has been working ever since, with biologists, students and volunteers at his side. They began a satellite tracking program and tagged 16 of their female leatherbacks, but sadly only 4 have returned in the last several years. They most likely met their deaths at the hands of fishermen’s long lines down in Chile and Ecuador. While the numbers of nesting leatherbacks have been varied and troubling, there is good news on the horizon. The Ridley turtle has made a comeback, “in the last 12 years we’ve seen an increase from 200 nests to about 500 nests” says Pinal.
Unfortunately the good news doesn’t keep on coming. Their 3.5 mile long beach has been, until recently, an unbroken stretch of sand, welcoming any turtles who wish to lay their eggs. Corrupt officials and land developers, however, have illegally appropriated a huge swathe of the land right in the middle of the beachline, with the intent of building hotels and resorts (as if there weren’t enough already). Happily, Pinal is undeterred and continues his work with the turtles as he battles the theft of his land. He welcomes all the help he can get and encourages tourists to come visit, and even handle their own baby turtle through their Adopt a Turtle program. If you’re interested, visit them at www.savetheturtles.org.
