Protecting life in Ostional: The survival of 2 species
Ostional is a world-famous nesting site for Olive Ridley Sea Turtles; tourists, volunteers, and conservationists flock to the beach from all over the world to join the local community in an effort to save this species. Sea turtles have long been part of this community, and part of the economy of this community. This unique conservation plan is highly successful because it works in the gray area; providing both for the economy and the conservation of sea turtles. It simply works, for common sense reasons, but the idealists continue to attack the program.
Turtle News From Around the World
Conservation
More than 400 acres preserved in Fairhaven and Mattapoisett (Massachusetts), providing protection for the Easter Box Turtle and other species.
71 more Mauremys annamensis head from Europe to Vietnam. The eventual goal is for release into the wild.
Stormy weather damages sea turtle nests in Collier County, FL and forces the Manatee County, FL Turtle Watch to get the public’s help.
Three Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtles released from a beach in Hampton Bays. Meanwhile, another Kemp’s Ridley is rescued on Tybee Island.
Ripley’s Aquariums joins the Sea Turtle Conservancy once again in its Tour de Turtles program.
Crime & Punishment
Sea turtle nest tampering reaches all-time high.
Law & Order
Japan joins a growing list of places banning the importation of Red-Eared Sliders.
Court tosses lawsuit from Friends of Animals; no real surprise.
Biology
Professors from South Africa and Connecticut come together to study the co-evolution of turtles and a parasite that doesn’t harm them.
Rescued turtles in Australia turn up a new species of parasite.
Education
Students attend Turtle Camp at Sea Life Park (Hawaii).
Miscellany
Lawrenceville family donates 400-pound box turtle statue to Turtleback Park.
Support Animals on airplanes; yes, apparently one can register their tortoise as a support animal!
Did You Know…
Some sea turtles nest in large groups, all at the same time and on the same beach. These large synchronized groups of nesting females come onto the beach in groups of hundreds and even thousands of females to lay nests of around 100 eggs each. This annual event is called an arribada, which means “the arrival” in Spanish.
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Photo by Kendal Blust
