Main image via Twitter + Ray Caye Island Resort
While we’re being responsible and staying home, the world outside our doors is moving on in the best ways.
With less humans outdoors, Mother Nature is taking back the planet and the hatching of nearly 100 critically endangered sea turtles is proof of that.
via GIPHY
Beachgoers of the shoreline of Paulista – a town in the north-eastern state of Pernambuco, Brazil; usually get to witness the amazing moment baby turtles hatch out of their eggs.
This year however, there was no one to witness the incredible moment as state governor, Paulo Câmara had ordered a partial lockdown of the area and restricted residents from gathering on beaches and urging them to stay indoors.
With or without witnesses, 97 endangered hawksbill sea turtles broke free from their shells and took their first little steps towards the Atlantic ocean.
Only a few government workers were around and managed to snap pictures of the baby turtles as they peacefully made their way home for the first time.
The City Hall of Paulista released a statement and noted that the “hatching of the eggs and the first contact of the animals with the water was only possible thanks to monitoring work carried out by technicians of the Urban Sustainability Center,” Unilad reports.
In case you didn’t know, WWF considers hawksbill sea turtles as a critically endangered species. Brazil’s Tamar conservation projects helps with the restoration of the species, as well as the restorations of the olive ridley sea turtle, the loggerhead sea turtle and the leatherback sea turtle.
Image via Twitter
“In all, 291 sea turtles were born on the coast of Paulista in 2020, with 87 green turles and 204 hawksbill turtles,” said Herbet Andrade, Environmental Manager at Paulista. “This time, due to preventative measures against the new coronavirus, the population was unable to closely monitor the birth.”
Paulista’ environmental secretary Roberto Couto noted that the turtles normally laid their eggs in January, with the hatchlings emerging in April or May.
“It’s really beautiful because you can see the exact instant they come out of the eggs and… watch their little march across the beach,” he said. “It’s marvelous. It’s a wonderful, extraordinary feeling.”
“This time, because of coronavirus, we couldn’t even tell people it was happening,” he added.
Image via Twitter
We’re glad that these baby turtles had some peace and quiet to hatch!
Be sure to keep playing your part by being safe and staying home!
Stay updated with the latest COVID-19 news here: https://en.syok.my/covid-19
Info via Unilad