Turtle-Watching, Trinidad, June 2006
Yes, this is us on a conventional tourist excursion. We have sometimes encountered these huge animals in the open ocean and were intrigued by the idea of seeing them close up. This is only possible when the females come ashore to lay their eggs. The place was Matura Beach, on the east coast of Trinidad, a favourite spot of leatherback turtles.
As the turtles seek secrecy under cover of darkness to lay their eggs, it seems like an intrusion to have tourists watching, touching and photographing. But the fact is, they were being driven to extinction by the easy poaching, and the tourist revenue is crucial in funding a conservation effort. In the event our presence did not seem to hinder the process.
We picked a good night, with around 20 turtles on the beach. The hatchlings emerge three months after laying, and we found this one. They face an immediate frantic dash to the safety of the sea. Most are killed by predators, probably not more than one in a thousand survives to maturity.
Surprisingly little is known about the life of the leatherback turtle, specially in the first few years. The opportunity is taken to measure and tag the animals while they are ashore. This one weighed 260kg.

« Home