Dead Sea Turtle Hatchlings Found in Tulum; Second Case Investigated

Tulum, Quintana Roo — The discovery of several dead sea turtle hatchlings on beaches inside Tulum National Park has sparked concern over the risks turtles face during nesting and hatching season, and authorities are now looking into a second report involving hatchlings found in a trash container.

Beach service providers reported finding the dead hatchlings between Playa Maya and Playa Pescadores after a nest hatched. According to information gathered at the scene, some of the turtles may have been attacked by wild animals — likely raccoons — while others managed to continue on to the sea.

Predation is a natural threat for sea turtles from the moment they leave the nest, but the number of dead hatchlings seen on the sand drew attention and raised questions about monitoring and protection measures along that stretch of beach.

Second Case Under Investigation

A separate report began circulating on social media afterward. Photographs posted by users showed at least five hatchlings inside a trash container, reportedly at Plaza Andador, prompting Tulum’s General Directorate of Ecology to open an investigation.

Armando Angulo, head of the municipal agency, said ecology inspectors went to the site to verify the report, but the turtles were no longer where they had been shown in the posts.

Unable to examine the animals, the agency opened a case file to try to determine where they came from and how they ended up in the container. Planned steps include requesting information from plaza management and checking for surveillance camera footage.

Angulo said no formal complaint has been filed in the case so far. It has not been established what species the turtles were, what caused their deaths, whether they were already dead when placed in the container, or who may have put them there.

Depending on what the investigation finds, the case could be referred to the Federal Attorney’s Office for Environmental Protection (Profepa) and, if possible criminal conduct is identified, to the corresponding public prosecutor.

Authorities said there is no evidence directly linking the hatchlings found dead at Playa Maya and Playa Pescadores with those seen in the Plaza Andador container. The investigation into the second case remains open.