Funding Provided to Assist in Sea Turtle Conservation Efforts
Lepidochelys kempii, the Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtle, is the most endangered sea turtle on the face of the earth, with the IUCN listing it as critically endangered. Recently, $220,162 was gifted in the form of funding to Dr. Christopher Marshall, associate professor of marine biology on the Galveston campus, in order that he could continue tagging and researching this rare species in an effort to save it from extinction. Lepidochelys kempii nests in Tamaulipas, Mexico and along Padre Island on the Texas coast, and the number of nests has dropped from about 47,000 in 1947 to approximately 300 by 1985. Marshall’s goals include removing this species from critically endangered status, continuing the use of Turtle Excluder Devices. and raising public awareness for this fragile sea turtle species. The Turtle Island Restoration Network (TIRN) is an important asset as they are involved with recruiting volunteers and with public outreach. Several other organizations are also involved and their contributions are invaluable. If this turtle is to continue to amaze people around the world, great efforts must be continued to halt the journey to extinction.
Turtle News From Around the World
Conservation
No turtle left behind on North Carolina beach
First sea turtle hatching reported in Kauai
Crime & Punishment
Over 1000 turtles seized from Indians
Ecology
Lights cause hatchling confusion
Miscellany
“Yard excavator” returns to his beloved family
Too many tortoises on the run
Did You Know…
Horsfield tortoises typically lay 2-3 clutches per year of between 2 and 5 eggs per clutch. Hermanns (Boettgeri) tortoises typically lay between 5 and 8 smaller eggs per clutch whilst the smaller Hermanns (Hermanni) tortoises only lay 2-3 eggs per clutch.
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Photo from tamug.edu.
