Centro Mexicano de la Tortuga
The Sea Turtle Directory
Country: Mexico
Organization / Project Name: Centro Mexicano de la Tortuga
Website: www.tortugasmazunte.org
Email: mharfush@conanp.gob.mx
Description: The Mexican Turtle Center is an institution whose main activities are aimed at the conservation of the most representative turtles of our country and the ecosystems in which they develop. It depends on the National Commission of Protected Natural Areas of the Secretariat of Environment and Natural Resources and is responsible for the operation of three turtle camps in the state of Oaxaca that correspond to nesting areas of high importance for some species of sea turtles, as well as an area for the management and exhibition of living organisms for the purpose of raising awareness in society. Precisely with respect to the latter, by keeping representative specimens of the different species of turtles under human care, it is one of the strategies that this Center has promoted to strengthen conservation actions by informing society about the biology of these reptiles, their protection and the main threats they face. To this end, there is a collection of living organisms, sea turtles, freshwater turtles and land turtles whose well-being depends largely on the improvement of captive maintenance techniques that promote adequate well-being, growth and development. Within the framework of the work for the captive management of living organisms, a highly important tool is the support of different studies and analyses on specific aspects of health, which allows for the identification and treatment of abnormalities that may affect the health status of the specimens. Likewise, in the case of wild sea turtles that occasionally die and strand on the beaches where turtle camps operate, this can be considered a source of information that allows for increasing knowledge on the anatomy and physiology of these reptiles and the etiological agents of the cause of their death.
Species of focus: Hawksbills (Eretmochelys imbricata), Olive ridleys (Lepidochelys olivacea), Green turtles (Chelonia mydas), Leatherbacks (Dermochelys coriacea)
Volunteer program: Yes
Tourist activities (Y/N): Yes
Primary Areas of Work: Environmental education/community outreach, In water research, Beach protection
Facebook Profile: https://www.facebook.com/CONANPCMT
Instagram Profile: https://www.instagram.com/marthaharfush
Twitter Profile: https://x.com/martha_harfush