Sometimes I think this island has a way of reminding us just how connected we are to the natural world. Just when I was still beaming from the story of Bobby, the Booby bird that ACES Wildlife Rescue nursed back to health and returned to the wild, another wildlife rescue miracle unfolded this time involving tiny sea turtle hatchlings.
It was last week, Wednesday night when ACES received a call from a concerned local about a baby sea turtle crawling on the deck of Mesa Cantina. Can you imagine? One tiny loggerhead hatchling, completely out of place and vulnerable, scrambling in the wrong direction. Being only five minutes away, the ACES team rushed to the scene, and that’s when the true surprise came, a whole nest had hatched! Dozens of hatchlings were making their way across the sand, but the beach was in rough shape.
Baby Sea Turtles Against Bad Conditions
The conditions were heartbreaking, explains Hanna O’Mahony of ACES. The shore was blanketed in a thick mat of rotting sargassum, creating a nearly impossible obstacle for the babies to cross. To make matters worse, bright artificial lights from nearby buildings were pulling them in the wrong direction. Sea turtle hatchlings naturally navigate toward the ocean by following the soft glow of moonlight reflecting on the water. When artificial lights interfere, it disorients them, often leading them to danger instead of the sea.
Heroes in Action
The ACES team quickly gathered the hatchlings and contacted Hol Chan Marine Reserve to report the nest. Under Hol Chan’s guidance and strict turtle protocols, the hatchlings were carefully collected and prepared for release. In total, 139 hatchlings were counted, each one a tiny fighter with the odds stacked against it. (Did you know only 1 in 1,000 loggerhead hatchlings survive to adulthood?)
A Beautiful Release
Later that day, Hol Chan Marine Reserve took the babies out by the marine reserve for release, away from sargassum, giving them the best possible start. Hannah O’ Mahony, ACES clinic supervisor, joined the release and described it as “pure magic.” The crew watched as the tiny creatures took to the sea, knowing the challenges they face ahead, both humbling and inspiring.
Why It Matters
Moments like this make me incredibly proud of our community. We’re so lucky to have organizations like ACES Wildlife Rescue and Hol Chan Marine Reserve working tirelessly to protect the animals that call Ambergris Caye home. From saving a stranded booby bird one week to ensuring baby sea turtles find their way to sea the next, their compassion and dedication are nothing short of extraordinary.
If you’d like to support ACES and their ongoing wildlife rescues, you can donate via their Global Giving page. Every little bit helps keep stories like Bobby’s (and these 139 baby turtles) possible.
