In a remarkable conservation achievement, ninety-five hatchlings of the leatherback turtle, the world's largest and most threatened turtle species, have emerged on the beaches of Manabí, Ecuador. According to records from the Ministry of Environment and Energy, 51 hatchlings were found at Cabuyal beach and 44 at Crucita beach, locations where the presence of this species is considered rare. This successful birth was facilitated by a collaborative effort between park rangers from the Isla Corazón y Fragata Wildlife Reserve, the Reina Laúd foundation, and the Caparazón de Niño Group from Puerto Cabuyal in the San Vicente canton.

The monitoring and protection of the nests were conducted with diligence, aiming to ensure the safety of the hatchlings during their vulnerable hatching phase. The Ministry of Environment and Energy remarked that these births are a positive sign for marine biodiversity, which faces threats from habitat loss due to human activities, pollution, and the degradation of nesting beaches. The success of this hatchling emergence is crucial not only for the leatherback population but also highlights the importance of ongoing conservation efforts within these coastal regions.

Interestingly, just a few months before this successful hatching, in January, a leatherback turtle made a unique nesting attempt on the Crucita beach, indicating increasing activity of this endangered species in the province. This pattern suggests that more nesting events may occur in the future if proper conservation measures are maintained, and it underscores the need for continued vigilance to protect these amazing creatures from the various threats they face in their natural habitats.