Mexico Evacuates Turtle Eggs Ahead of Hurricane

Mexican authorities are removing newly laid sea turtle eggs for fear they will be swept away by Hurricane Beryl, which is expected to make landfall on Thursday or Friday. All sea turtle species are protected in Mexico.

The turtle eggs are covered with sand and placed in coolers when they are moved to safer locations. In total, more than 10,000 eggs were dug up.

In other areas, sandbag barriers are being built to protect the eggs from the expected high waves. However, disturbing the delicate eggs is expected to have consequences.

– It would mean a lower degree of hatching of eggs. But if the eggs are left, they will all be destroyed, says biologist and turtle expert Graciela Tiburcio.

Further south along the coast, in Punta Allen, residents were also told to evacuate. The Mexican government has previously been criticized for doing too little to warn the country's population about past hurricanes.

Hurricane Beryl wreaked havoc as it swept across the Caribbean. At least 10 people died.

On Wednesday, local time, large parts of Jamaica's capital, Kingston, were without power as the hurricane hit the island nation. Several roads were cut off after strong winds downed trees and heavy rain fell.

Evacuation orders have been issued for areas prone to flooding and landslides, and the entire Jamaican state of emergency has been declared after the island was declared a disaster area. According to Prime Minister Andrew Holness, the order will be in effect for seven days.