Bari Holland
This is believed to be the result of reduced human activity during the coronavirus pandemic.
The indigenous Seri community from the Sonora state in Mexico said it released more than 2,250 baby olive ridley sea turtles into the Gulf of California.
This particular community usually releases about 500 of the miniature endangered creatures every year.
Fishing and tourism limits, as well as the lack of people around due to the recent pandemic, mean their beach nests have not been as disturbed.
The olive ridley sea turtle, which is under threat globally, lays its eggs on the beaches of several Mexican states between May and September.
This species of sea turtle is considered to be facing a high risk of extinction in the wild, but why?
Main threats include harvesting for skin and meat, accidental capture and marine pollution.
Olive ridleys are protected by national laws, as well as international treaties and agreements.
Many processes and procedures have are in play now to help with population control.
The NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service conduct regular monitoring of olive ridley populations
Accidental capture of these turtles is being reduced by fishing gear modifications (such as the use of TEDs, or turtle exclusion devices), changes to fishing practices, and closures of certain areas to fishing during nesting and hatching seasons.
Important Mexican nesting beaches have been turned into reserves for the species and continue to be protected for long-term conservation.