Monday, 19 February 2018 07:18

Turtles here, turtles there, turtles everywhere

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Having worked with two types of sea turtles, during multiple turtle nesting seasons in 2 different countries I am still sometimes surprised by how different and exciting each day can be when you are around these animals. One of the best things about the Hawksbill turtles that nest in Seychelles is the fact that they come up during the day; a very rare phenomenon among turtles.

It is hard to say what has been my most favorite moment here on Cousin as it seems every day something exciting happens here. One unique memory I have is leaving the field station as normal for my afternoon turtle patrol. I was heading for Anse Vacoa, our most popular turtle nesting beach on the island so I was expecting a turtle or two. As I climbed over the rocks onto the beach, I immediately could see there were a few more than one or two up in bushes because of all the tracks scattered over the sand.

I quietly positioned myself in the shade of a big Casuarina tree in the middle of the beach and counted six hawksbills all digging their egg chambers at the same time! It really was a special moment to be faced with so many of these wonderful animals all within eye sight digging their nests in the bright sunshine on a tropical island. I could not take a photo with all of them in the shot as they were left, right and everywhere so I relaxed in the shade and etched the show in my memory.  

Emma Jones

Read 2563 times Last modified on Thursday, 26 July 2018 11:25