A large group of tourists disrupted sea turtles from laying their eggs on a beach in Costa Rica last weekend, according to local news sources.
Every year hundreds of sea turtles journey to a wildlife refuge in Guanacaste, Costa Rica in order to lay their eggs. This year, though, tourists were able to access the refuge because droughts have lowered water levels that usually make the area inaccessible to people.
The tourists reportedly took photos, touched the turtles and stood on their nests, forcing several to return to the ocean without laying their eggs, according to La Nacion.
Costa Rica’s Secretary of Environment is investigating why officials were unable to control the tourists.
More Must-Read Stories From TIME
- Employers Take Note: Young Workers Are Seeking Jobs with a Higher Purpose
- Signs Are Pointing to a Slowdown in the Housing Market—At Last
- Welcome to the Era of Unapologetic Bad Taste
- As the Virus Evolves, COVID-19 Reinfections Are Going to Keep Happening
- A New York Mosque Becomes a Refuge for Afghan Teens Who Fled Without Their Families
- High Gas Prices are Oil Companies' Fault says Ro Khanna, and Democrats Should Go After Them
- Two Million Cases: COVID-19 May Finally Force North Korea to Open Up
Read More From TIME
