A video circulating on social media shows at least three young people allegedly stealing turtle eggs on a beach in the state of Oaxaca, prompting the Federal Attorney for Environmental Protection (Profepa) to launch an investigation.
The incident occurred specifically on Escobilla Beach, located in the municipality of Santa María Tonameca.
The video shows the young people using white sacks while digging in the sand. There have also been reports of mistreatment of local wildlife, as the footage shows one of the individuals holding and throwing a turtle.
Given the seriousness of the incident, Profepa reported via its official account that agency personnel have already arrived at the site and that an investigation is underway to determine responsibility.
Escobilla Beach is not just any beach. This stretch of the Mexican Pacific coast is considered the world’s most important nesting sanctuary for the olive ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea).
Every year, this ecosystem experiences the natural phenomenon known as arribadas, in which thousands—and even hundreds of thousands—of female turtles arrive simultaneously to lay their eggs on the sand.
In September 2025 alone, authorities reported the arrival of approximately 269,850 turtles during a single arribada, demonstrating the magnitude of the phenomenon.
In Mexico, stealing, destroying, or selling sea turtle eggs is a serious federal crime, as all species of sea turtles are protected by law.
The General Wildlife Law and the Federal Penal Code (Article 420) establish penalties for anyone who captures, harms, or kills sea turtles; collects, destroys, or sells their eggs; or traffics in derived products such as meat and shells.
The penalties for this crime can range from 1 to 9 years in prison, as well as fines of 300 to 3,000 days’ wages (which can exceed 300,000 pesos depending on the case).
Aggravating factors include thefts occurring in protected natural areas, being committed for commercial purposes, or being part of illegal trafficking networks.
Sea turtles are endangered, and their eggs are crucial for the conservation of the species. Therefore, this crime is prosecuted at the federal level.
Source: lasillarota
