Date: June 14, 2024
Author: César Arroyo Vega & Adriana Lechuga Granados
Postulated by: Gro Bios AC.
Roberto Lugardo Quevedo began his conservation journey in 1986 in Barra Vieja, state of Guerrero, Mexico, and during the following years he actively collaborated with environmental groups and the College of Ecologists of the state of Guerrero, demonstrating his commitment of protection for the marine habitat, at 60 years old he has dedicated more than 39 years of work to the conservation of Sea Turtles.
From 1997 to 2004 he worked non-stop alongside his family without any type of external support to carry out protection and conservation activities for the turtles. In 2004, the foundation of the Guerrero Roundtable for the Protection of Sea Turtles gave well-deserved recognition to his hard work, and in 2005 this stimulated and encouraged the arrival of the first collaborations so the camp could continue on the development of its activities. In 2012, facial paralysis caused by stress made his work at Camp Tortuguero difficult.
majestic creatures is between 1.80 and 2 meters in length. However, unfortunately, the tragic loss of between 10 and 15 nesting turtles per season has also been recorded due to poaching.
The team led by Don Roberto highlights a revealing historical fact: in a single night during the 2023 season, they found five female leatherback turtles. They estimate that throughout these past three decades of work at the Las Playas Tortuguero Camp, more than 65 thousand leatherback turtle hatchlings have been released, with a hatching success rate of 90%.
The camp is a space where teaching about sea turtles is promoted. Each visitor takes with them the learning from the experience shared by each member of the family.
Photo courtesy of: Campamento tortuguero Las Playas.
Currently, Don Roberto and his family have 31 years of work at the “Las Playas” Turtle Camp, and a total of 39 years in the protection of sea turtles, a work that has become even more challenging due to the visual disability of Don Roberto. Despite facing adversity, such as the catastrophic passage of Hurricane Otis that destroyed the camp, the family has shown extraordinary resilience by managing to rebuild it with the help of all its members and the support of some organizations.
For their entire dedication to the care of sea turtles, the Las Playas Tortuguero Camp, which has been directed by Don Roberto and his family, deserves to be called Leatherback heroes.
