Fundraising night for sea turtle protection slated for Feb. 18

Thanks to a volunteer effort to protect their nests and the beach, “some 500 baby turtles were released and accompanied on their way to the sea,” said Hilda Benítez, founder and executive director of Siete Quillas Grupo Tortuguero San Juan.

By The Star Staff

Siete Quillas Grupo Tortuguero San Juan are leading a community fundraising effort next month to protect leatherback turtles nesting in Puerta de Tierra, Condado and Ocean Park up to the Último Trolley.

With the objective of sharing the progress made in the protection of the endangered leatherback, the largest marine turtle in the world, the group is inviting the community to join in the celebration of the closing of the 2024 nesting season and the beginning of the arrival of the leatherbacks, from February to July of this year.

“Last year, we were visited by five leatherbacks that left 12 nests between Condado and Ocean Park, each with 60 to 100 eggs. Thanks to the protection of these nests and the beach, some 500 baby turtles were released and accompanied on their way to the sea,” said Hilda Benítez, founder and executive director of Siete Quillas. “It will take more than a decade for at least one of these baby turtles to return to our coast to nest on the beach where it was born.”

To commemorate the achievements, as well as to express gratitude to the volunteers, sponsors and the community in general, “we will meet Tuesday, February 18, from 6 p.m., in the beautiful surroundings of La Concha hotel in Condado, a space that has become a great ally for the protection of the species and that has access to one of the nesting beaches,” Benítez said.

“My call is to companies to join as sponsors of the event and to all people who want to enjoy a magical evening for a suggested donation of $75,” she added. “The money raised will help us cover the costs of purchasing equipment and supplies for night patrols, coastal cleanups, talks and volunteer training.”

More information can be obtained by writing an email to: sietequillas@gmail.com.

“It will be an unforgettable vigil that will permit us to share and raise funds to continue our work of protecting these marine turtles, which now come swimming from far away to deposit their eggs on our beach,” Benítez said. “This stage is crucial in the lives of the leatherbacks and if we have luck we will be able to see them that night.”