Mostly Cloudy, 79° F
GNP NEWS: Images circulating on the Internet were not taken in Galapagos
05 March 2010
The photos have circulated around the world via chain e-mails.
Over the past several weeks, photos showing the collection of large quantities of sea turtle eggs on an unidentified beach have circulated by e-mail.
Initially, the collection site was not specified. However, during the last few days these same images have appeared with captions indicating that this activity was taking place in Galapagos.
The Galapagos National Park Service clarifies that the circulated photos were taken at Playa de Ostional, in Costa Rica. Every year, more than 50,000 Golfina sea turtles arrive at that beach. Hatch rates are low, because nests are laid one on top of another, making it impossible for many of the eggs to hatch properly. Because of this situation, the Government of Costa Rica has permitted the collection of eggs through a monitored process carried out by carefully selected individuals.
In Galapagos, the sea turtle is a protected species. The principal species that nests in the archipelago is the Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas). Its consumption—in any stage of its life cycle—is prohibited. There are no human population centers near the principal nesting sites. The GNPS conducts an ongoing sea turtle monitoring program which is believed to have resulted in an increase in the reproductive activity of this species.
