An illegal camp found on Punta Arena beach near Huatulco is suspected to have been a base for turtle egg thieves.
Federal officials dismantled the camp, which occupied a 100-meter stretch of beach and consisted of eight rudimentary cabins made from palm and mangrove – a plant species protected by law.
According to residents, the site of the camp sees few nesting events so it was subject to minimal surveillance by the Huatulco turtle camp.
The raid was undertaken early Sunday morning by officials from the federal Ministry of the Environment along with a team of marines.
An inspection of the beach found over 100 olive ridley nests, leading officials to presume that the camp was built to steal eggs and sell them.
No arrests were made during the raid but a formal investigation was opened.
With reports by ORO Radio
