More Kids Growing Up Green: Baby Sea Turtles Rescued At Casamagna Marriott Puerto Vallarta

Sept. 19, 2008 - PRLog -- Today’s youths are showing a deeper interest in the environment, recycling, and eco-friendly living. That’s just one of the many reasons why CasaMagna Marriott Puerto Vallarta Resort invites families to take part in a unique educational, and eco-friendly vacation experience through its “Secretos del Mar” Sea Turtle Rescue Program.

Guests can spend time with a local biologist and learn more about the endangered species. Kids are encouraged to participate in combing the beach so the mama turtles have a groomed surface, on which to lay their eggs.

Strictly carried out according to the procedures established by the National Institute of Fisheries and the Fishing & Marine Biology Station of the University of Guadalajara, the resort’s work coincides with the sea turtle season which begins in June and continues through December as sea turtles breach the water to come ashore and lay their eggs. However, the daily activities of a beach resort are hardly a safe place for a turtle nest. Therefore, under the supervision of biologist Oscar Aranda, the resort staff patrols the beaches to gather turtle eggs. The eggs are then transported to the sea turtle nursery for incubation.

Approximately 45 days after the sea turtles lay their eggs; the hatchlings emerge from the sand and are ready to be released on the beach, with the aid of the recreational staff and the public. Tradition holds that each child names their baby sea turtle, wish them luck, and set them free to find their way to the water. Since the baby turtles face threats to their survival from land predators, they are released at night. Baby sea turtle releases are held every evening at 7:30 pm at the CasaMagna Marriott beach.

To illustrate the program’s success in 2007, 796 nests were collected with 63,527 sea turtles released back into the sea. After only two months into the 2008 season, 258 nests have already been collected with 1,739 sea turtles released back into the sea thus far. The program will continue collecting and releasing sea turtles through December.

An interesting fact: sea turtles return to the same beach where they are born to lay their own eggs.  As a result, the beach of CasaMagna Marriott Puerto Vallarta will prove a safe haven for these hatchlings to lay future eggs, thereby, ensuring many generations to come.

Currently, guests can take part in the hatchling process as well as enjoy all that the CasaMagna Marriott Puerto Vallarta Resort has to offer when booking an ESCAPE!® Family Package vacation.  Valid through Dec. 16, 2008, the promotion offers rates as low as $209 per room, per night and includes complimentary breakfast daily for two adults and two children 12 and under, pizza and movie for one night, and a milk and cookies nightly turndown service.

For more information on the CasaMagna Marriott Puerto Vallarta Resort or to make reservations, please call 888-PARADISE or visit www.puertovallartamarriott.com

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About CasaMagna Marriott Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa
The CasaMagna Marriott Puerto Vallarta Resort features 433 guest rooms, including 29 suites, each with a private balcony. Nestled between the majestic Sierra Madre Mountains and Mexico’s picturesque Bay of Banderas, the resort offers a variety of facilities for adults and children, including: 22,000-square-foot complete service Ohtli Spa (Puerto Vallarta’s largest resort spa); two lighted tennis courts; infinity oceanfront pool; various water sports and beach activities; multiple restaurants; and a Marriott Kids program. Guests can also enjoy nightly cigar rolling demonstrations in the resort’s lobby bar, stroll through the old town of Puerto Vallarta and enjoy the sights of colonial Mexico, view folkloric shows and historic Mexican landmarks, or experience jungle adventures.