On February 11th, at approximately 8 a.m., 33 leatherback turtle hatchlings were released for the first time at Arroyo Santa Cruz, Los Zacatitos. These hatchlings were from a local nest and the eggs had been raised in a nursery for release by Don Manuel Orantes, assisted by his wife Carolina Anderson.

A brief history and biology of the leatherback turtle was presented by Graciela Tiburcio, Director of the Ecological Reserve of the Estuario de San Jose, with four marine biology student volunteers, lead by Alonso, from the Universidad de La Paz. The ecologists made a plea to the local community for support in covering costs for beach patrols and future local hatchery.

Each participant received a turtle hatchling for simultaneous release. Approximately 30 onlookers attended and cheered this innaugural event which promises to be the first of many annual releases of this endangered species.