Playa del Carmen Turtle Hatchling Abuse Investigation

Environmental authorities in Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo, have opened a criminal investigation after a video circulated on social media showing three young people handling newborn sea turtles. The footage shows the hatchlings being placed in a cooler with ice, some being immersed in an alcoholic drink, and the youths laughing while recording the act.

The municipal Secretary of Sustainable Environment and Climate Change, Kandy Mendoza, urged the public to provide any information that could help identify the perpetrators. Mexican law protects marine turtles and their nests; violations can lead to administrative fines and criminal charges. The investigation follows a recent incident on Isla Mujeres where dozens of hatchlings died after being left exposed to the sun, highlighting concerns over enforcement of protection measures during the nesting season.