His job title is fitting but an understatement. Secrets Huatulco lifeguard Jorge Alejandro Aguilar Morales not only looks after his human counterparts but his marine ones as well. For over six years, Jorge has worked to protect the sea turtles in Huatulco that choose Conejos Bay and the surrounding beaches for their nesting spot. A man with a big heart and an even bigger smile, his dedication inspires.
A protected nesting site for sea turtles in Huatulco at Conejos Bay
As night falls and the waves crash gently against the shore on the secluded coastline of Conejos Bay in Huatulco, an ancient ritual returns to this enchanting beach of golden sand, extraordinary rock formations and sapphire waters. Giant sea turtles, born on these very same beaches, have come home. Now, continuing the traditions of their foreturtles, they’re here to nest.
Jorge Alejandro Aguilar Morales knows about this wondrous process of natural regeneration like few others in Huatulco. Jorge, who is a lifeguard by profession, has worked passionately to help save these beautiful creatures in danger of extinction since 2008; first for Dreams Huatulco and now for Secrets Huatulco, both part of the exclusive AMResorts line. Together with three other colleagues at Secrets Huatulco, Jorge belongs to a select group of individuals who have been accredited by Oaxaca’s Environmental Protection Agency to work as a volunteer protecting the nests laid by sea turtles on the shores of the gorgeous bays of Huatulco.
The Pacific ridley is one of several species of sea turtles in Huatulco that nest at Conejos Bay. Image courtesy of wikipedia.org
“It’s a very emotional experience,” says Jorge as he prepares to head out to the beach in search of nesting sites.
Sea turtles in Huatulco
Sea turtles are endangered species and there predators are many. Their natural enemies, such as crabs, eagles and raccoons, are bolstered by yet another predatory species: mankind.
A typical night of protecting sea turtles for Jorge means heading out at night in search of nesting sea turtle or small excavated circles in the sand where the eggs have already been deposited.
“Once I find a nesting site I count the eggs and determine whether or not it is safe to leave them in place. If they are vulnerable to predators or the elements, I move them to a safer spot somewhere else on the beach.”
Each nest usually contains anywhere from 80 to 120 eggs.
Volunteers cordon off the site and place a notice sign to alert visitors of the need to be careful around the nesting sites”
[/captionJorge calculates that he has helped over 2,000 sea turtles survive the nesting period and hatch before beginning their life journey to the sea. Depending on the time of year, those that make their way to the beaches of Huatulco are leatherbacks, hawksbills, Pacific ridley sea turtles and Kemp’s ridley sea turtles.Once the nesting site has been defined, Jorge and his group of accredited volunteers place sandbags around the nest and enclose it with a sign so that people exercise caution and respect for the protected area. About 40 to 45 days later, those eggs that Jorge so passionately protected are ready for their journey.
A group of guests at Secrets Huatulco stand in a straight line at the beach of Conejos Bay to release sea turtles in Huatulco
A volunteer from Secrets Huatulco arranges sea turtles eggs in order to protect the nesting site from the elements as well as possible predators
It’s nighttime again and this time Jorge’s team gets the guests ready to share his very emotional experience. Tonight, guests at Secrets Huatulco will have the chance to participate in freeing these wonderful creatures so that they may make their way into the great Pacific Ocean.
“It’s very satisfying,” says Jorge.
A turtle hatchling soon to make its way to the great Pacific Ocean. Image courtesy of www.worldwildlife.org
“Being so patient, helping them to hatch, and then giving them the opportunity to survive. Words just can’t describe it.”
AMResorts supports conservation efforts to protect the sea turtles at several destinations throughout Mexico. Ask you Concierge for more information the next time you visit an AMResort. And if you are lucky enough to visit Secrets Huatulco, make sure you ask Jorge to share with you his year-long passion on helping to protect and conserve these endangered species.
Huatulco is a true tropical paradise. Let Amstar take you there! Book online or contact our customer service specialists at 1-877-329-4461 for more information.
