Officers from the Coast Guard's Punta Blanco Beach station in Golfito Canton, Puntarenas Province, released 446 baby sea turtles.

This was the first batch of turtles saved out of a total of 736 turtle eggs seized from individuals who stole them from their nests, according to the Ministry of Public Security.

 

For the last four months, officers and community volunteers have been in charge of keeping the eggs safe until they hatch.

There are around 250 more eggs to hatch.

This turtle rescue and egg preservation program is part of the Punta Banco Turtle Conservation Project. This non-profit organization's volunteers collaborate to safeguard the nests of species of turtles such as Kemp's ridley (Lepidochelys kempii), green (Chelonia mydas) and hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata). 

The eggs collected in the previous four months were seized from many turtle nest robbers who intended to sell them in bars and restaurants in the vicinity, where the turtle  meat and eggs are considered a traditional meal.

These eggs were taken to the conservation facility and categorized before being placed back in nests, where they can hatch in about 130 days.

The community project for preserving turtle eggs began in 2004 as the initiative of the residents of Punta Banco Beach, who banded together to combat turtle egg stealing.

Turtle egg theft, trading or hunting wild animals is a crime in Costa Rica.

Wild flora and fauna are protected by Wildlife Conservation Law No.7317. Those who are found guilty of hurting wild animals will be fined between $1,400 and $2,800. In the case of wild animals in danger of extinction or with small populations, these fines could be higher.

Under the law, any person who is found responsible for committing an environmental or wildlife crime could face a prison sentence of one year.

The National Animal Health Service urges people to report any suspicion of breaking Wildlife Conservation Law to the 9-1-1 line.

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