The best place to see a sea turtle's birth is in the place where sea turtles are most abundant. The Nicaraguan coastline is crowded with sea turtles from July to January. There are seven species, five of which are found on the shorelines of Nicaragua. The turtles are facing trouble with human and nonhuman forces so exercising proper etiquette for watching the births is essential, as explained in these steps.
Instructions
1. Contact your travel agent or book your vacation to Nicaragua or other favorable sea turtle spawning areas. Book the trip during a new, full moon, or quarter moon. The sea turtles, like humans, are influenced by the moon when giving birth.
2. Visit one of the several Nicaraguan beaches that are known for sea turtle spawning. The turtles are along most of the coastline on both the Caribbean and the Atlantic Ocean side, but there are specific beaches where thousands of turtles lay their eggs. Visit one of these referred to as arribadas. LaFlor and Chacocente, which are in Rivas and Carazo, are both wildlife refuges run by the Cocibolca Foundation and the Nicaragua Army where visitors are welcome. Other locations include Miskito Cays, the Pearl Cays, and at the Indio Maiz reserve.
3. Decide which turtle you wish to see. Turtles usually return to the same location each year to spawn. Locals know where each turtle species arrives, so if there is a unique species ask a local. The Olive Ridley Turtle is the most abundant along the Pacific beaches.
4. Keep the lights off when the turtles are birthing or laying their eggs. Mother turtles will quit and return to the ocean. Turtle hatchlings move toward the bright horizon near the ocean. Light can guide them away from their final destination and lead to their death.
5. Visit a turtle nursery, which can be found throughout Nicaragua. Nurseries are in Chacocente and in the Cosiguina Peninsula. The LIDER foundation is a leading organization working to nurse the young sea turtles.
6. Follow proper turtle viewing etiquette. Stay back nine feet and stay behind the turtle. Sit and stay still while she is laying her eggs. When she is done, move back so she can return to the ocean.
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