Jake reports Hawksbill Hatchlings Emerge at Maya Breeze Inn!

Imagine the surprise of the patrons at the Maya Breeze Inn when they were approached by 100s of hatchlings around 7:30 pm on September 25!  

Bartender Jake reported the event to ECOMAR and we learned that they did not know a turtle nested along their beach so this event came as a very unexpected and pleasant surprise! Jake reported that the hatchlings emerged from a vegetated area along the beach.  

The hatchlings are naturally attracted to light so when they saw the lights on around the bar they mistook it for the moon rising over the ocean.

This is great news for Maya Beach who can expect that the mature hawksbill will return again in 2-3 years to nest and that her young will return again in 20-30 years.  This turtle likely laid other nests this summer as well.The nearest Turtle Network member, SEA, was notified and they will dispatch their biologists to the area to locate the nest and count the egg shells to determine success rate and also collect a sample for DNA studies. 

Ken from Caribbean Delites Beach House was able to capture a couple images in the scurry to gather the hatchlings and assist them on their way to the sea!

Let's all help ensure that our sandy beaches are turtle friendly and Adopt A Beach today!

Hawksbill hatchlings from Maya Breeze Inn. Photo courtesy Ken Tanner 2013.