By Nicki Wheeler | international Coordinator
In Pacuare we are so fortunate to have three different species of turtle nesting on out 7.1km area of beach.
From March until June, the majestic leatherbacks are present - a real treat for our volunteers and visiting students to be able to work and be in contact with the largest of all species, and classed as endangered. During the nesting season volunteers, research assistants and local guides saved 164 leatherback nests. 23 of those nests were relocated in styrophone boxes and 141 were buried in the hatchery.
In July - although we witness the hatching of many baby leatherback turtles, up until now more than 2 000 hatchlings have been released! - the beach is nesting area for the green turtles and the hawksbill turtles.
So far we have relocated 26 greens nest in the hatchery and 6 hawksbills nests.
This time of the year is a lot more complicated for the staff , local guides and volunteers, as both of these species are hunted locally for their meat ( green turtle) and shell ( hawksbill turtle) as well as their eggs.
It is not uncommon for us to find evidence of turtles being dragged off of the beach into the surrounding vegetation, and flipped on their backs - making it impossible for them to escape - and the hunters will go back for them at a later time when there are no patrols about.
This is why we desperately need the assistance of the local authorities on night patrols.
Once this season, we found a freshly butchered head of a hawksbill turtle, but no sign of the valuable shell or the rest of the carcass. The head was handed over to the coastguards, and arrests were made the very same day.
These are just some of the situations we find ourselves in night after night, whilst we continue our work to protect our turtle populations.
Global Giving donations have provided necessary support and materials for us to continue our work - including patrol kits for local guides, pit tagging equipment, new solar panels and necessary boat repairs.
Your support means that we can keep saving turtles, and takle on all the challenges that come with being a conservationist.
we are truly grateful for all of our supporters!
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