Isla Mujeres, Quintana Roo — Biologists from the Caribbean Turtle Group have partnered with the Isla Mujeres city government to review and strengthen conservation protocols at the island’s sea turtle camps, following an incident earlier this month in which several hatchlings were found dead.
The review aims to analyze the conditions surrounding the failed hatching event and propose improvements, rather than minimize what happened, the biologists said.
“As the Caribbean Turtle Group, we are providing technical advice, and as members of the Municipal Committee, we will contribute all our experience to review protocols and propose strategies so that an event like this does not happen again,” the group stated.
Since the incident came to light, the group has been advising the municipal government as part of its coordinated work with the Municipal Committee for the Protection and Conservation of Sea Turtles.
Images circulated on social media showed several hatchlings apparently dead under direct sunlight inside a protected area. Authorities continue investigating to determine responsibility and ensure a transparent process.
The biologists noted that sea turtle conservation programs face challenges each season, including high temperatures, variations in hatching times, and the need for constant monitoring of hundreds of nests along the coastline.
During the 2026 season alone, workers have tended to 895 nests and achieved the hatching of approximately 1,332 sea turtles of the hawksbill, loggerhead, and green species — results that reflect ongoing preservation efforts, according to the group.
The specialists emphasized that while the incident is regrettable, it should not overshadow decades of conservation work on the island.
