Helpless sea turtles are stolen from protected Nicaraguan beach by brazen poachers who sling them on their shoulders as they come out of the sea to lay their eggs
- Poachers captured reptiles at La Flor Beach Natural Reserve in San Juan del Sur
- Normally wait for olive ridley sea turtles to lay eggs on beach before swooping in
- But video marks new level of cruelty as poachers could be seen stealing animals
This is the horrible moment poachers capture a helpless sea turtle for its eggs in front of families playing on a beach in Nicaragua.
The animal was stolen from protected waters at La Flor Beach Natural Reserve in San Juan del Sur, a town on Nicaragua's south-west coast.
The poor reptile could be seen flapping its flippers and squirming in distress as it was kidnapped.
Each year countless sea turtle eggs are poached from Nicaragua's beaches and transported to cities across the region where they are sold as food.
A brazen poacher makes his way across the beach with an adult sea turtle above his head
Officials say the footage shows the cruel methods poachers are willing to use for their eggs
It is estimated that around 150,000 olive ridley sea turtles arrive in the area to nest every year.
In the footage, a poacher can be seen scurrying into the waters and slinging the reptile over his shoulders before running off.
Liza Gonzalez, director of Paso Pacifico, said the video marked a new level of cruelty by the poachers.
She said the kidnappers normally wait for the reptiles to lay their eggs on the beach before swooping in.
In the footage, a man can be seen scurrying into the waters and slinging a reptile over his shoulder
The distressed turtle flapped its flippers and squirmed as it was stolen away from its family in front of families playing on the beach
But video suggests they are now stealing the reptiles and forcing them into captivity.
Once held captive, they'll be forced to lay eggs before being killed themselves and sold for their meat.
Around 700 people are believed to have descended on the beach and at least six turtles were killed in the incident.
Paso Pacifico reported the footage to local authorities and army personnel were sent to the beach to disperse the crowds.
But the turtles nesting process had already nearly finished by then.
Local media said four people were arrested after cops identified suspected poachers from the video footage released on social media.
Reports also said that the poaching it linked to the economic crisis in Nicaragua right now, as tourism has decreased and unemployment is high while local authorities are focused on escalating social problems.
The olive ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea) is one of five species native to Nicaragua.
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