Baby turtles on Maio

Two weeks ago on the main beach in Vila do Maio turtle eggs were dug up in the hatchery and the baby turtles released into the sea. People enjoying the sun on the beach were privileged to watch. The turtle hatchery and conservation work on the island of Maio is run by the Fundação Maio Biodiversidade (FMB).

The exceptionally warm weather had resulted in some turtles not having hatched or the babies still being buried in the sand. So the young turtles were rescued from the sand and then encouraged to enter the sea. Sadly a few were found to be dead, but the majority were alive and scampered into the water.

This exercise took place on three separate days, and was a fascinating sight to observe. The baby turtles headed straight for the sea.