Release baby turtles back into the oceans

“We obediently stand in a straight line parallel to the Pacific Ocean at sunset. When instructed, everyone in the group drops to their knees on the beach. When told to do so, we tip the wooden bowls we have cupped in our hands gently toward the sand. It's as if we're taking part in an ancient religious ceremony at one with nature and the universe. And it is indeed spiritual, divine and sacred. Because, as we do so, the baby olive ridley sea turtle in the bowl tentatively takes his first awkward flipper-assisted descent on the damp sand. Golfina, as I've nicknamed my turtle after the word for olive ridley in Spanish, weighs in at about 25 grams and is the size of a ping pong ball. Almost immediately, he makes a dash toward the Pacific, his little flippers and light body leaving faint smiley face patterns in the sand. But, soon enough he seems to tire out, take a rest, move sideways for a bit and then recalibrates to head toward the water. In the 15 minutes it takes him to cover the 12 metres to the ocean's edge, the waves have kicked up a bit and eventually a rush of water sweeps Golfina out to sea. I can't help but applaud and feel proud.”

“Donning my rubber gloves, I scooped up my first baby Olive Ridley turtle from the relocated nest in the hatchery (all girls in this sunny batch) and immediately noticed how strong she was. For such a tiny critter, she certainly was fierce! I placed my little Olive in a bucket with about 25 or so of her sisters and we transported them down the beach to the site of their original nest. That way, the ones who survive can instinctively come back and lay their eggs at the same spot. One by one, each Olive Ridley left the protection of the bucket and met the sand for the first time. Hard-wired to find the sea, the girls made their way to the waves.”