Activists of a turtle protection project released several dozen turtles into the sea  in front of the resort where the FIFA World Cup is taking place.

The beach in front of the Costa do Sauipe resort is a hotspot for turtle eggs which they are trying to protect.

The Brazilian Sea Turtle National Conservation Programme, Project TAMAR, has been working on the protection, research and management of the five marine turtle species that occur in Brazil, all of which are endangered: the loggerhead, hawksbill, green turtle, olive ridley and leatherback.

"Here in Sauipe we have eggs in the sand straight in front of the complex where the World Cup Draw is taking place, " Frederico Tognin said as he released hatched baby turtles.

"It is an important beach for marine turtles eggs, they are based here in Sauipe. In Bahia we have four stations for monitoring which go from Salvador to Mangue Seco; it is 215 kilometres which we monitor and 8,000 eggs which are concerned in this area."

The sea turtle nesting season occurs from December to June at the beaches near Salvador where TAMAR is monitoring. The conservationists transfer those at risk to open hatcheries and then release them into the sea.

Locals and tourists alike looked on fascinated as the tiny creature made their break and fought their way through the sand to the safety of the waves.

Please click on the image below to view World Cup draw:

World Cup Draw

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