Newsflash: record high of 9276 turtle eggs rescued so far in 2021!
Newsflash: as of 9 Aug 2021, we have rescued a record high of 9276 turtle eggs during our yearly turtle rescue project at the Tapiche Reserve in the northern Amazon of Peru!
Despite significantly increased poaching pressures on the reserve, which began during the pandemic and persist now, we have managed to surpass last year's 9,158 eggs from turtle rescue season 2020...and the 2021 season isn't over yet! Murilo Reis, our founder and director, and Jana Reintjes, our superstar lodge manager, have been working steadfastly all season, making personal and physical sacrifices for the sake of this work.
Due to an unusual cold front in late June this year, the turtles began nesting late, but they seem to have made up for lost time by nesting intensively in a short period of time. There have been subsequent odd cold fronts during July, further forcing the turtles to take advantage of warmer temperatures at any time of day, rather than laying eggs only under the cover of night or low light at dusk or dawn. Because of the unusual weather patterns, it is often necessary to be out collecting eggs all day and night every day in order to stay ahead of the poachers, with breaks at the lodge only for food and an hour or two of rest each time.
Check out our milestones so far:
27 July - 6275 turtle eggs rescued
08 Aug - 8401 turtle eggs rescued
09 Aug - 9276 turtle eggs rescued
Looks like we're going to have to build a bigger nursery!
We thank everyone around the world who has been supporting us on this conservation journey. During much of this 2021 turtle rescue season, our team has been reduced to just one or two people doing this demanding physical work due to financial constraints. Your support has helped us sustain basic operations and has bolstered our spirits, encouraging us to keep working even as challenges and obstacles increase. Thank you, gracias, obrigado, merci, viel danke...we appreciate you!
Our GoFundMe https://gofund.me/a681bbb6 will remain open and funds will be used to support operations, as we still do not have a stable tourism income yet. Thank you!
