High schoolers to study sea turtles in the Bahamas
In an effort to help save the green sea turtle species from further decline, five Exeter-West Greenwich High School students will be heading to a research facility in the Bahamas next month to study and track the endangered animals.
The study will take place on Eleuthera Island at a facility funded by EarthWatch, an international environmental charity founded by Robert A. Citron and Clarence Truesdale. Powered by wind and solar energy, the Cape Eleuthera Institute is a fully sustainable research facility, with a biodiesel facility, a biodigester for human waste and a reclaimed rainwater system for potable water.
According to EarthWatch’s website, the green sea turtle and the hawksbill sea turtle are in serious danger of going extinct. And while the Bahamian government has made it illegal to catch them in the country’s waters, the species is still in decline due to coastal development and climate change.
As part of an effort to stave off these potentially dire circumstances, the EWG students will help monitor the abundance of turtles in mangrove creeks and other habitats and track the physical features of those habitats to find out what draws turtles to a particular place. Although scientists know that these habitats are critical for young turtles, they don’t know exactly how turtles choose them and move between them.
Click the link to read more…
Turtle News From Around the World
Conservation
Mexico:- Sinaloa fishermen rescue leatherback turtle, an endangered species
Seychelles:- This nursery can save an entire population of giant tortoises (Video)
India:- Olive ridley hatchlings released into sea at Judugullapalem beach
Galapagos:- Tracking Giant Galapagos Tortoises (Video)
Health & Medical
Israel:- Two Healed Turtles Return to the Sea (Video)
USA:- Sea turtles released back into wild through work of local wildlife center (Video)
Georgia:- Rare Giant Turtle Found in Poti
USA:- Sea Turtle Healing Center at the Brevard Zoo Takes in Influx of Green Sea Turtles (Video)
TheTurtleRoom is looking for several individuals passionate about turtle conservation to join our volunteer staff team in a variety of specific roles! Two of these openings relate directly to this World Turtle News blog feature. We also have several other opportunities available for a variety of talents. Please check out this page for more details on each position, the requirements, and responsibilities. We look forward to hearing from you.
Question or Concerns? Want to submit an article to get posted? Email us at [email protected].
Photo from RI Central.
