WARNING: Violating Turtle Egg Protection Laws in Quintana Roo Could Land You in Prison!

Tania Fernández Moreno, the Director of Ecology in the municipality, has issued a stern warning to the public about the federal crime of tampering with turtle eggs or removing turtles from their natural habitat. This warning comes amidst concerns for the endangered species.

Fernández Moreno revealed that public interaction with newly hatched turtles has been halted due to the risk of transmitting harmful bacteria and residues to the vulnerable creatures. She urged the public to refrain from disturbing hatchlings with photography or handling, as this interferes with their natural process of imprinting on the sand.

Since the start of the nesting season in April, a total of 2,770 nests have been safeguarded, protecting approximately 456,000 eggs in Cancun alone. As of recent counts, 6,750 hatchlings have been released from 48 protection corrals.

Under Article 420 of the Federal Penal Code, anyone found unlawfully collecting or storing turtle eggs faces a penalty of one to nine years in prison and a fine ranging from 300 to 3,000 minimum wage days.

In related news, Fernández Moreno discussed the shifting patterns of the blue crab population. This species tends to migrate to less urbanized areas to continue their reproduction cycle each year between September and October.

"The fauna moves a lot according to human settlements and mobilization," she explained. "Specifically, this species tends to recoil and modify their crossing zones in response to vibrations, lights, and loud sounds."

Fernández Moreno acknowledged that urban growth has resulted in a decline in the presence of blue crabs. Areas where they were once regularly sighted now report fewer sightings of the species.