A Comeback Story: Olive Ridleys and the Fight for Leatherbacks
December 1, 2025
On the beaches of Oaxaca, Mexico, one of nature’s most spectacular events unfolds each year.
Thousands upon thousands of olive ridley sea turtles emerge from the waves to nest in an awe-inspiring phenomenon known as an arribada (Spanish for “arrival”). Watching these turtles dig their nests and release hundreds of eggs under the moonlight is a reminder of the resilience of life and of the power of conservation.
The Olive Ridley Story
Not long ago, olive ridley sea turtles were on the brink of collapse in the region. In the 1980s, their population dropped from an estimated 10 million to just a fraction due to poaching and exploitation, in part due to misinformation about turtle eggs increasing virility in human men. But change came. In 1990, Mexico banned the killing and trade of sea turtles, and in 2005 WILDCOAST launched its “Don’t Eat Sea Turtle Eggs” campaign, helping shift cultural norms and reduce demand.
The results have been extraordinary. Since 2016, nearly 164 million olive ridley hatchlings have emerged from Morro Ayuta alone, one of the largest sea turtle nesting beaches in the world. In total, WILDCOAST now helps protect 56 miles of sea turtle nesting beaches in Oaxaca, and the olive ridley has made a remarkable recovery.
This success is proof: when communities, governments, and nonprofits work together, even species once near decimation can rebound.
Turning to the Leatherback
Today, we are bringing those lessons to another turtle in need: the Eastern Pacific leatherback sea turtle, the largest turtle on Earth. Unlike olive ridleys, leatherbacks remain endangered. Their population in the Eastern Pacific has declined by 90%, with only a few hundred individuals left in the region.
On Oaxaca’s beaches, only about 92 leatherback nests are recorded each year, each one incredibly vulnerable to poaching, predation, and the impacts of climate change. We have stood with olive ridleys for decades, and now it’s time to expand our work to stand with leatherbacks.
Replicating Success
WILDCOAST is working with indigenous and Afro-Mexican communities, the National Commission for Protected Natural Areas (CONANP), and the Mexican Turtle Center to replicate the olive ridley revival. Together, we are:
- Patrolling beaches to monitor nesting leatherbacks.
- Relocating vulnerable nests to safe enclosures.
- Educating local youth about sea turtle conservation.
- Partnering with communities to build long-term stewardship of their coasts.
During the 2024–2025 season alone, WILDCOAST and partners rescued about 91 leatherback nests (80% of the total) and tagged 24 females, contributing to international research efforts.
A Future for Both Species
The olive ridley’s recovery shows us what’s possible. With persistence, collaboration, and protection, sea turtles can come back from the brink. Now, we have the chance to apply that same community-driven approach to the critically endangered leatherback, ensuring that these ocean giants continue to migrate, dive, and nest for generations to come.
At WILDCOAST, we believe that Oaxaca can be home to not just one, but two sea turtle conservation success stories.
You can help protect these ocean giants—support leatherback conservation by donating to the Save the Sea Turtles Fund today at https://bit.ly/4p1dt9F