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Gangs
Threaten Mexican Sea Turtles
Wednesday, January 21, 2004
Armed
gangs in Mexico continue to kill sea turtles and steal
their eggs despite laws to protect the species, the
Associated Press reported yesterday.
In San
Valentin, a 12-mile long beach near Petatlan, in Guerrero
state, the gangs, usually carrying Kalashnikov
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rifles, drive away the unarmed
turtle-protection team, killing the turtles, which regularly
emerge from the sea to lay their eggs on the beach.
"It's a very cruel death," said
Mario Espinoza Amaro, a member of the team. "They cry, shriek
like the squawking of birds and bleed to death."
Turtles and especially their
eggs are highly prized in Mexico. San Valentin officials estimate
that only around 40 percent of the eggs escape poachers.
According to AP, although many
programs to protect sea turtles and their eggs are in place
in the country, they have been unable to stop the gangs. "It
is difficult to get to San Valentin beach because of the presence
of armed people who, in addition to committing other crimes
such as drug trafficking, set themselves to preying on the
turtles and their eggs," said Miguel Angel Calzada Adame,
who represents the federal environmental prosecutor's office
for Guerrero state (AP/CNN.com, Jan. 20).
Copyright, National Journal Group,
2004
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