Todo por las Tortugas
April 7th, 2009
Villa Milenaria is a private organization that preserves endangered sea turtles in an environment of development, urbanism, and tourism. The organization is ran by Fernando Manzano or “Papa Tortuga” and his family. For more than 33 years Fernando and his family have been working to preserve the magic of the sea turtles.
Fernando Manzano "Papa Tortuga"
Of the eight species of turtles in the world, seven reproduce on the beaches of Mexico. They include: the Golfina, Laud, Caguama, Prieta, Carey, Verde or Green Turtle, and Lora. All of these turtles are susceptible to extinction, but the Lora is the most endangered and the least abundant. The only place in the world that the Lora reproduce are on the Gulf Coast of Mexico primarily in the states of Tamaulipas and Veracruz.
Precisely in the last state on a large and pristine beach of Tecolutla one man has committed his life to the preservation of the environment and of the turtles. For more than 30 years Fernando Manzano has worked hard to save the sea turtles of the area especially the Lora and the Verde.
Each year Fernando Manzano is able to help free more than 20,000 turtles. Through time and experience, he has developed a process of incubating the eggs for 45 days and releasing the turtles after they are born. Turtles that are born deformed or weak are rehabilitated for a year in calcium and proteins and released the next year. The Lora are born from May to August, and the Verde are born from September to November.
Rehabilitating Lora
When the turtles are released, they travel the Gulf currents and return to the place where they were born to lay eggs. The Mayans believed the earth was a big turtle.
Categories: Mexico | Tags: Carey, Fernando Manzano, Lora, Tecolutla, veracruz, Verde, Vida Milenaria | No Comments
