Cozumel, Q.R. — Island authorities are investigating allegations of the illegal removal of baby sea turtles for a staged event. The newly hatched turtles were reportedly removed from one beach location and brought to another for a tourist show.
The incident occurred during the 2024 sea turtle season and is said to involve an island hotel and two municipal employees. The National Commission for Protected Natural Areas (Conanp) began their investigation last week into the illegal removal of baby sea turtles allegedly perpetrated by the municipal employees.
The two municipal employees named in the complaint are accused of having baby sea turtles removed from a beach on the east end and transferred to a beach on the west for a staged hotel show where tourists were charged to see the natural event.
The collected sea turtle hatchlings were then released in front of paying tourists.
Tampering with sea turtles is prohibited by the Federal Attorney for Environmental Protection (Profepa). It interferes with their natural behavior, affecting their orientation and potential return to the coasts of Cozumel to reproduce when they are adults.
The Comisión Nacional de Áreas Naturales Protegidas (Conanp) is currently investigating personnel within the Municipal Ecology Department after the Tourism and Ecology Commission of the Cozumel City Council presented a formal request to the Municipal Comptroller to investigate.
The man and woman named in the complaint are being looked into on accusations of organizing the relocation of the sea turtles for a paid baby sea turtle release hotel show.
Once Conanp has solidified their findings, a new complaint will be filed with the Procuraduria Federal de Proteccion al Ambiente (Profepa). Tampering with sea turtles is a federal offense. If found guilty, those involved could face prison time.
