Meet Dr. Sarah Roth

Vista Animal Hospital & The Mazunte Project

Saving Sea Turtles and Supporting Coastal Communities in Mexico

Richard Rodger, DVM, is a small animal veterinarian from North Grafton, MA.

For over 25 years, the Mazunte Project has been a cornerstone of marine life conservation along Mexico’s Oaxaca coast. The ongoing project addresses a pressing problem: stray dogs preying on sea turtle eggs and hatchlings.

The veterinary conservation project has made a remarkable difference in protecting endangered sea turtles by tackling canine predation at critical nesting sites like La Escobilla and Morro Ayuta, two of the world’s most important beaches for sea turtle populations.

Dr. Marcelino Lopez Reyes patrols a vast beach, safeguarding thousands of sea turtle hatchlings each year.

Founded in 2001 by veterinarian doctors Richard Rodger and Marcelino Lopez Reyes, the Mazunte Project combines veterinary care with environmental preservation.

Together, they teamed up with the Centro Mexicano de la Tortuga in Mazunte, also known as the National Mexican Turtle Center, to bring in volunteer veterinarians to help reduce the stray dog population through an annual spay and neuter campaign.

Dr. Reyes played a key role in early efforts to save sea turtles along Oaxaca’s coast. His research in the 1980s helped lead to Mexico’s ban on turtle slaughter in the early 1990s. To support former workers, the Mexican Turtle Center was built on the site of the old slaughterhouse, providing jobs in conservation instead of exploitation.

Each January, a team of veterinarians, students, and volunteers travels to rural communities to spay and neuter over 1,000 dogs and cats. This effort controls the feral dog population that preys on turtle eggs and hatchlings.

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Dr. Abbott Took Part in the 2024 Campaign

“It’s truly an honor to be part of something that positively impacts animals, people, and the environment,” said Dr. Abbott.

This year, Dr. Bonnie Abbott from Vista Animal Hospital was among the 50 volunteers who joined the mission, contributing her skills to this impactful cause.

“I’m so proud to be part of this incredible project,” said Dr. Abbott. “Seeing baby sea turtles make their way to the ocean has been on my bucket list for years. Helping the endangered sea turtles by performing free spays and neuters for the local dogs and cats was deeply rewarding.”

Improving Public Health Through Veterinary Intervention

Dr. Abbott explains that by reducing the spread of parasitic diseases, such as those caused by hookworm larvae, the Mazunte Project is also improving the health of the residents in these communities. “It’s truly an honor to be part of something that positively impacts animals, people, and the environment,” she said.

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In addition to sterilization procedures, the team provided free veterinary care to pets in underserved coastal communities, improving animal and human health through their “One Health” approach. By treating parasites and enhancing pet health, the project benefits families and fosters a stronger connection to conservation efforts.

Saving the Lives of Thousands of Endangered Sea Turtles

Olive Ridely sea turtle: the smallest and most abundant of the sea turtles.

The impact has been extraordinary. In the past, over 100 dogs roamed nesting beaches, threatening turtle hatchlings. This year, while escorting baby turtles to the sea, volunteers spotted just one dog, which showed no interest in the hatchlings.

Because of the dedication of Drs. Rodger and Reyes, along with volunteer veterinarians, veterinary students, and local communities, the Mazunte Project has helped release 100,000 more sea turtle hatchlings while also improving the health and well-being of thousands of family pets in Mexico.

Through dedication and collaboration with the Palmarito Sea Turtle Rescue Project, the Mazunte Project continues to protect sea turtles, support local communities, and inspire global environmental stewardship.

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