Today is unfortunately my final day with MCSS.
Over the last 4 weeks I have had the pleasure and absolute privilege to have
input on several conservation projects including bird and terrapin monitoring,
the new giant tortoise rehabilitation programme and of course my favourite:
turtle monitoring. I have spent my mornings walking along some of the world's
most beautiful beaches on the lookout for turtle tracks and nests, and my
afternoons surveying their profiles for changes in sand gradient using both traditional
and more modern drone-based techniques. It feels great to pass on GIS and
computer mapping knowledge I have learnt at university and apply it to a
real-world charity that does such important work.
I was fortunate enough to see a nesting turtle on
my very first day with MCSS. Today, on my final turtle patrol, the island was
kind enough to round off my trip by giving me another encounter. Whilst walking
the far end of Anse Bazarca, eyes fixed on the high tide line for any sign of
activity, I glanced up to the other end to see Vanessa waving her arms
frantically in the air, a sight I always pray to see as it can only mean one
thing - an actively nesting turtle!
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| within centimeters of a tourist! |
Unfortunately, this turtle had chosen a rather
poor spot to try and nest, along an open path area linking the beach and road.
It had tried to dig a couple of pits but the sand was too compact and shallow.
Its proximity to the road had also drawn a small crowd of tourists. It is at
this point I feel obliged to mention the turtle
watchers code of conduct once more. It is imperative that when encountering
a sea turtle, you stay out of its line of sight, as still and quiet as possible
and to give the creature plenty of space. Of course as tourists we want to
capture videos and pictures to record this special moment, but this can't come
at the expense of such a vital and delicate process. Turtle numbers are in
decline and only ~1% of hatchlings reach adulthood, so it is of the utmost
importance that we have as many undisturbed nestings as possible.
Whilst the crowd of people on this occasion were
not overly disruptive, the poor location of the site forced this female to
abandon its nesting attempt and return to the ocean. During its return crawl
Vanessa and I were able to quickly approach and gather important size and head
I.D. data, though because the turtle has not laid this can be mildly
distressing, so can only be done by those trained to do so. She then glided
swiftly back into the rolling waves, disappearing into the great blue.
Hopefully on her return within the next few days she will find a suitably
peaceful and appropriate spot to lay her precious cargo.
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| managed to exit the beach safely |
I am incredibly sad to be leaving MCSS as I have
made memories that will last a lifetime in what felt like such a short period
of time. To witness a nesting turtle has forever been a dream of mine and to
have fulfilled this at such a young age feels incredibly special. An encounter
on my first and last day is a truly wonderful welcome and farewell to the
Seychelles. Please take care of the islands and our oceans and continue to
support charities like MCSS doing such honourable work.
Many thanks to all,
I will be back one day.
