WAN has been made aware of a disturbing video showing several individuals looting sea turtle nests and stealing eggs at the Playa Escobilla Sea Turtle Sanctuary on Tortuga Beach in Mexico, sparking public outrage. This protected natural area is one of the most important global nesting sites for the olive ridley sea turtle.

The footage appears to show eggs being stolen while the sea turtles are actively nesting, a critical and vulnerable moment in their reproductive cycle. Conservationists warn that disturbing nests at this stage threatens reproduction and undermines ongoing efforts to protect this internationally significant nesting site. Removing eggs not only reduces the chances of hatchlings surviving but can also have long‑term impacts on local sea turtle populations.

Under Mexican federal law, it is illegal to capture, harm, or collect eggs from sea turtles. The Ley General de Vida Silvestre (General Wildlife Law) explicitly bans extractive use of wildlife, including protected species such as sea turtles and their eggs, and encourages authorities to enforce protections.

The law is supplemented by Mexico’s Norma Oficial Mexicana NOM‑059‑SEMARNAT‑2010, which lists sea turtles as endangered and subject to the highest level of legal protection. Violations can lead to significant fines and imprisonment under both wildlife and federal laws.

Calls are growing for PROFEPA, Mexico’s federal environmental enforcement agency, the Procuraduría Federal de Protección al Ambiente, to immediately investigate the perpetrators, prosecute them to the fullest extent of the law, and implement urgent measures to safeguard the sanctuary from further criminal activity.

PROFEPA regularly conducts patrols and surveillance operations during nesting seasons to deter egg poaching at sites like Playa Escobilla.

Peace 4 Animals stated, “Stronger enforcement and enhanced security are urgently needed at critical nesting sites, and the perpetrators must be identified and brought to justice. Safeguarding these vital sea turtles and the ecosystems they inhabit is essential for the health of marine environments and biodiversity.”