Thanks to the support of local Compassion centres, children from the La Libertad coast area in El Salvadore who are part of the programme can become conservation change-agents for their communities. They make a positive impact for nature around them by participating in a national sea turtle conservation programme. As they get involved in releasing baby turtles back to the wild, they are empowered to believe that small actions in favor of the planet can change the world.
Close-up of a child's hand holding a baby sea turtle. Photo: Alejandra Zuniga, Compassion International
A baby sea turtle’s life is an important part of the ocean’s ecosystem. Sea turtles are critical for ocean biodiversity because they are major contributors to healthy ecosystems and impact other species around them – including humans.
La Libertad coast is a Salvadorean territory where turtles lay their eggs every year between July and December. It takes approximately 50 days for a turtle egg to hatch, then baby turtles are free to make their way to the beach or to be released into the Pacific Ocean.
But due to climate change, illegal commerce, and pollution, many sea turtle species are at risk of extinction.
As they get involved in releasing baby turtles back to the wild, they are empowered to believe that small actions in favour of the planet can change the world.
“Children should know that when we preserve the marine turtle, we also preserve human life. The practice of selling turtle eggs is a barrier to the ecosystem’s preservation; turtles help us have beaches in better condition, alga-free, and without contamination that is dangerous for humans,” says Gerardo, Manager of Las Hojas Turtle Sanctuary.
Children are lined up along the beach releasing baby sea turtles into the water. Photo: Alejandra Zuniga, Compassion International
Twelve-year-old Ruben, along with 30 other children from different Compassion centres in the area, had the opportunity recently to attend a turtle release activity at the sanctuary. During this activity, each child could name a turtle, and care for it, as they made their way to the ocean.
Ruben’s experience of releasing turtles in the ocean gave him direct contact with the marine fauna, especially with the olive ridley turtle, creating a bond and esteem for nature, especially for these kinds of turtles that are at risk of extinction.
“I named my turtle Sun,” says Ruben. “Getting into the sea, it wasn’t easy for her. In the end, the sea dragged her in and took its own away. When I saw Sun was in the sea, I felt happy, glad, and joyful.”
This boy was happy to participate in this activity because his turtle, Sun, will be able to come back to that beach in the future and bring more baby turtles to the planet! And in doing so, she will contribute to a big and necessary balance to the oceans that will conserve the oceans and let other fish reproduce naturally. Eventually, that may even help the many families of the community who rely on local fishing for food and to generate income.
“It’s important to take care of the sea turtles because God created them. We, as human beings, have to take care of God’s creation and protect it from others who come and steal the turtles’ eggs to sell them,” says Ruben.
For 13-year-old Carlos, the contact with the baby turtles was an act of kindness. “I just loved the experience of coming and seeing the turtles, because they were very tiny, and it was nice to get them released. I named my turtle Doll because that was the name of a little dog I had in the past. I let it find its own way. It was hard, but the turtle was able to get to the sea; she is free now to be in the water with many fish,” says Carlos.
After this experience, Carlos and Ruben said they were motivated to share their experiences with their families and friends and teach them that, as humans, we are responsible of taking care of God’s creation.
These children have each just released a baby sea turtle onto the sand, where the turtles will then make their way to the ocean. Carlos is in black, second from the right. Photo: Alejandra Zuniga, Compassion International
“Today, I learned that I could help sea turtles by hiding their eggs in case they are exposed and protect them from predators that could eat them. Turtles are important because they are part of God’s creation,” added Carlos.
Getting children involved in these activities and putting them in contact with species at risk of extinction helps to get them connected with God’s creation and promotes a new mindset for future generations.
It empowers them to eliminate sociocultural patterns that affect negatively the existence of sea turtles, their ecosystem, and in consequence, will also help human well-being.
Carlos, Ruben and their many friends are well placed to help the environment and their own communities, especially those near the coast who depend upon it for their livelihood.
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