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Panama leatherback turtles return to nest after nearly a decade
The critically endangered leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) has returned to nest on the Pacific coast of Panama after nearly a decade. The nesting event was recorded at El Fondiaderito beach in the Darien province, a protected jungle area near the Colombian border.
According to the Ministry of Environment, at least three adult leatherback turtles were identified depositing eggs. To protect the 178 eggs from natural and human threats, technical teams and members of the Jaqué Marine Turtle and Biodiversity Protection Organization transferred them to an incubation hatchery. The eggs are expected to hatch between September and October.
This sighting is considered highly significant for scientific research and conservation efforts, as leatherback populations in the Eastern Tropical Pacific have declined by approximately 95% since the 1980s. The last recorded nesting of this species in Panama occurred in 2017 in the Veraguas province.
Entities
Darien · El Fondiaderito · Jaqué Marine Turtle and Biodiversity Protection Organization · Leatherback turtle · Ministry of Environment of Panama · Organization for the Protection of Sea Turtles and Biodiversity of Jaqué · leatherback sea turtle
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 3 SOURCES] The eggs are expected to hatch in September or October. diaadia.com.pa · www.panamaamerica.com.pa · quepasamedia.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] Leatherback sea turtles have returned to nest on Panama's Pacific beaches after nearly ten years. diaadia.com.pa · www.panamaamerica.com.pa · quepasamedia.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] Technical teams and local residents moved 178 eggs to an incubation nursery for protection. diaadia.com.pa · www.panamaamerica.com.pa · quepasamedia.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] At least three leatherback turtles laid eggs at El Fondiaderito beach in the Darien province. diaadia.com.pa · www.panamaamerica.com.pa · quepasamedia.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] The last recorded nesting in Panama occurred in 2017 in the Veraguas province. diaadia.com.pa · www.panamaamerica.com.pa · quepasamedia.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] Leatherback turtle populations have declined by 95% in several Eastern Tropical Pacific regions since the 1980s. diaadia.com.pa · www.panamaamerica.com.pa · quepasamedia.com