Meet Mona Khalil, founder of Lebanon’s Orange House Project protecting sea turtles and raising the next generation of conservationists
Khalil founded Orange House Project in 2000 after finding turtles on al-Mansouri beach and felt compelled to protect the area so that they could continue to come and nest there. She informed the Mediterranean Association to Save the Sea Turtles that there were turtles on the beach, and, in response, they sent marine biologists to work with Khalil. It was through these marine biologists that she was able to learn how to properly monitor and collect data on the turtles and nests without being intrusive.
Since then, she has taught many young volunteers to study and monitor the turtles every season. One of these volunteers is Rami Khashab who has been with Orange House since 2013 when he was 16. He told Al-Monitor that he learned all of the skills that he uses at Orange House from Khalil.
Every year, he and fellow volunteers keep an eye on the beach and wait for the turtles to lay their eggs. Then, they get to work.
Turtle News From Around the World
Conservation
Cyprus: Argaka community and Minister of Agriculture continuing to work together after dispute to both protect sea turtles and provide revenues for community
USA: WATCH 2 sea turtles get released at Coquina Beach, NC after their stay at the STAR Center at the North Carolina Aquarium (VIDEO)
Australia: Parks and Wildlife Service to release 73 critically endangered Western Swamp Tortoises (Pseudemydura umbrina) hatched by Perth Zoo, biggest release yet
UK: London Zoo rescues 4 endangered Chinese big-headed turtles (Platysternon megacephalum) after their seizure from smugglers
USA: NJ’s Department of Environmental Protection and New Jersey Audubon aim to restore and connect 50 acres of habitat for its endangered bog turtle (Glyptemys muhlenbergii)
Turkey: Antalya Beach sees lower sea turtle nesting numbers from 2018 but counts 1,400 hatchlings so far
Crime & Punishment
Mexico: Juchitán, Oaxaca still trading and consuming turtle eggs despite its illegality, locals attempting to find balance between own survival and conservation
Ecology
USA: NY’s Bronx River turtles appear mercury free after study but show signs of prolonged PCB exposure
Miscellany
USA: Center for Biological Diversity in St. Petersburg, FL to sue federal government for failing to protect endangered green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas)
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Photo from Al-Monitor.
