Upon arriving, Mariano immediately assisted his nephew in freeing the leatherback from its entanglement. He then contacted Dr. Zavala, a renowned sea turtle expert, to inform him of the situation. Mariano has been collaborating with Dr. Zavala for over ten years, and during this time, he has introduced other local fishers, such as Edmundo, to join in the efforts to save leatherbacks. Mariano’s dedication to sea turtle conservation and his contributions to research have been recognized globally, earning him the title of “Leatherback Hero” by the Laud OPO Community. While waiting for the CIIDIR IPN Unidad Sinaloa Conservation Group to arrive, Mariano reflected on the situation, thinking about how “Sea turtles are facing attacks, both intentional and unintentional, but either way, humans are slowly decimating their population. This only fuels my desire to continue protecting them.”
The turtle was then transported by van to Lab Vida Silvestre y Enfermedades Emergentes of Ciidir Ipn Unidad Sinaloa for a thorough health evaluation, treatment, and sample collection. It is crucial that a bycaught sea turtle receives medical attention before being released, as injuries sustained during entanglement may lead to its death. Dr. Zavala praised the fishers’ efforts, stating, “The rescue of the turtle was swift and efficient, thanks to the quick report from the fishers and their training as part of the Conservation Team. They understand the importance of the data the turtle can provide, and they know how to handle it without causing stress or harm.”
Once the leatherback’s health was confirmed, a satellite tag provided by Upwell was attached to its carapace to track its journey in the ocean. Edmundo and Mariano decided to name the turtle Liam Neythan after Edmundo’s two children. Liam Neythan was released from Playa las Glorias, and for the next two months, Upwell covered the satellite tracking fees, allowing for the collection of data on Liam Neythan’s migration south from Sinaloa. Mariano expressed his excitement upon receiving updates on the satellite tracking, saying, “There was so much emotion and joy when we saw Liam Neythan’s journey.”
This is heartwarming to see different groups coming together to protect endangered species! Well done to the fisherman and researchers involved.