Nature

News about Bonaire Nature

Sunday, August 12, 2007

A Leatherback Turtle was Rescued off BOPEC Oil Terminal by the Crew of the Indusbank

On Wednesday, August 8, 2007, at approximately 5:00 pm, Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire (STCB) Manager, Mabel Nava, received an emergency call from the Bonaire National Marine Park (BNMP) that there was a sea turtle entangled in a home-made longline with floats and hooks up by the BOPEC oil terminal. 

The tugboat Indusbank was on duty off the oil terminal when it spotted a leatherback turtle. Recognizing that it was in distress and needed immediate assistance, Captain Willy Meye and his crew were able to get a rope around the turtle. Working from a platform from the side of the tugboat, the crew cut off much of the line and a number of floats that encircled the turtle. Realizing that additional assistance was need, oil terminal supervisor, Jan Emerenciana was contacted and he, in turn, called Din Domacasse, Chief Ranger of the BNMP.

With time being an issue and sunset not all that far off, Mabel, working with Duvan Rios, BNMP Ranger, quickly responded to the call. With support from Ramon de Leon, the marine park’s manager and Carlos Rodriguez, the operations manager at Harbor Village Marina, a marine park boat was rapidly fueled and equipped . Accompanied by Andy Uhr, acting STCB President, Mabel and Duvan were on the water and headed north at 5:45 pm.

When the team reached the Indusbank, the rope securing the turtle was quickly passed to the marine park boat. In spite of the Indusbank’s work, the turtle still had significant amounts of twisted nylon line wrapped around her, with the line having cut deeply into and around each of her front flippers and the back of her neck.

Efforts to remove the remaining line while working from the marine park boat proved to be less than successful. Mabel, donning a mask and fins, went over the side to work in the water. With two sets of hands from the boat steadying the leatherback, Mabel removed the remainder of the line and floats. Sea turtles are tough and resilient animals and attempting to bring them in for veterinary treatment presents a greater potential for harming the animal so the leatherback was released. While seriously injured she swam away into the deep blue using a steady and strong stroke, giving the team encouragement that she would survive her ordeal.

This rescue was made possible by the quick and positive actions of Captain Willy Meye and the crew of the Indusbank, Francis Verginie, Leopoldo Clarenda and Florenso Thode. STCB extends its thanks to them and everyone else involved in the effort.

The leatherback sea turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) is the biggest of all living turtles, reaching a length of over 2.7 m (8.8 ft) and weight of 900 kg (2,000 lb) and is listed by international authorities as critically endangered. The leatherback is found worldwide in all oceans. Our leatherback was quite small, measuring an estimated 1 m (3 ft) across the carapace and weighting over 100 kg (220 lb). Leatherbacks are occasional visitors to Bonaire and are usually seen passing through on their way to destinations unknown.

Longline fishing is illegal on Bonaire and to our knowledge not practiced here. But the practice is common along the coast of South America and it is thought that is where the leatherback became entangled. This the second such incident this year. In April, the remains of a hawksbill turtle ensnared by a similar fishing rig were recovered from a dive site at the southern end of the island.

Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire exists to ensure the protection and recovery of Bonaire’s sea turtle populations throughout their range. Founded in 1992, the STCB is a Bonaire-based, non-governmental and non-profit organization, part of the Wider Caribbean Sea Turtle Conservation Network.  (Source:  STCB)

Friday, July 27, 2007

Green Turtle “Darwina” is the Second Turtle Tracked from Bonaire this Nesting Season

A Green turtle (Turtuga Blanku), nesting on the Atlantis dive site on the southern coast of Bonaire, was fitted with a satellite transmitter Tuesday night by a team of staff and volunteers from Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire (STCB). This is the second turtle to be tracked during the current nesting season and the second Green turtle ever fitted with a transmitter on Bonaire.

Based on the pattern of turtle nesting activity observed during the last few weeks, it was predicted that the Green turtle would possibly return to the beach on Tuesday night. During a beach patrol on Tuesday morning, STCB’s Funchi Egbreghts found crawl tracks from a turtle but observed that it was a false nesting attempt. So the team set out that night to monitor the area around the dive site.

Around 8:30 pm, a large Green turtle came ashore, but it took her three hours before she found a spot to lay her nest. When attempting to deploy a transmitter, it is important that the turtle be allowed to nest before starting the deployment process. If she decides to go back to the sea, we let her go and wait for her to come back and safely lay her nest. This is done in order to protect her clutch and avoid extra stress on the animal. At 11:30 pm, she began laying eggs. She was then measured (95.5 cm (37.6 in) straight carapace length) and tagged on her front flippers. An hour later and after she had thoroughly covered the nesting area with sand, the approximately 140 kg (309 lb) turtle was fitted with a satellite transmitter. At 2:30 am, the Green turtle was released and she quickly departed into the sea.

This was Darwina’s second nest of this season and it is anticipated that she may lay one or more nests before she leaves the area to return to her home foraging grounds.

Green turtle Darwina will be the second turtle to be tracked from Bonaire during the 2007 nesting season. Tracking of this Green turtle is made possible by a full sponsorship provided by Karen and Ken Miller.

Earlier this month, the female Hawksbill ‘Eloise’ was fitted with a transmitter after nesting at No Name Beach on Klein Bonaire. Eloise is still in the area and may be departing shortly.

The turtle tracking works through signals sent out by the transmitter, which is switched on whenever the turtle comes to the surface to breathe. These transmissions are then collected by Argos system receivers on board weather satellites that circle the globe, yielding location data for each turtle that are e-mailed daily to Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire.

Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire exists to ensure the protection and recovery of Bonaire’s sea turtle populations throughout their range. Founded in 1992, the STCB is a Bonaire-based, non-governmental and non-profit organization, part of the Wider Caribbean Sea Turtle Conservation Network.  (Source:  STCB)

Note Update July 30, 2007: Darwina, our female Green turtle, departed from the southern coast of Bonaire during the morning of July 25th, probably right after being fitted with her satellite transmitter. Her path has taken her due south toward Venezuela and it appears that she is turning to the east.

Darwina came ashore on the evening of 24 July to lay, what was believe to be, her second nest of this season and it was thought that she would stay in the area a while longer to lay additional nests.

Darwina is over 80 km from the southern tip of Bonaire and swimming at a rather leisurely pace.

Note Update August 8, 2007: She’s back! Darwina came ashore on Bonaire again shortly before 2:00 AM, right in the area in which she last nested back on July 25. She spent approximately two hours on shore, leaving around 4:00 AM. Subsequent signals we received are confusing and her path after leaving the beach is unclear.

This is the third nest for Darwina this season. STCB staff were on the job bright and early this morning and have already confirmed the nest.

After swimming a huge loop in the southern Caribbean, concerns regarding Darwina having lost her way were apparently unfounded.

Sunday, July 15, 2007

First Turtle Tracked From Bonaire This Nesting Season Is the Female Hawksbill “Eloise”

Working in teams, staff and volunteers from Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire (STCB) intercepted a large female hawksbill turtle as she came ashore at 10:30 pm on Thursday, 12 July 2007 at No Name Beach on Klein Bonaire. Working into the early morning hours, “Eloise” was released back into the sea at 2:30 am with a satellite transmitter attached to her carapace. This is the first turtle that will be tracked this nesting season. 

This past November, Her Majesty, Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands, visited Bonaire and offered to sponsor the tracking of one of our sea turtles. At that time she requested that the turtle be named after one of her granddaughters, Eloise.

“Eloise” measured 86.2 cm (33.9 inches) straight carapace length and her weight is estimated to be in excess of 100 kg (220 lb). Typically it takes anywhere from 15 to 30 years for a sea turtle to reach maturity and they can live to be 60 years old or greater. STCB staff originally tagged “Eloise” in June 2004 in the waters off Klein Bonaire when she last came here to nest.

This was the third nest “Eloise” laid this season with her last nesting being on 2 July. It is anticipated that she will lay one or more nests before she leaves the area to return to her home foraging grounds.

Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire exists to ensure the protection and recovery of Bonaire’s sea turtle populations throughout their range. Founded in 1992, the STCB is a Bonaire-based, non-governmental and non-profit organization, part of the Wider Caribbean Sea Turtle Conservation Network.  (Source:  Seat Turtle Conservation Bonaire)

Monday, June 04, 2007

Bonaire’s Parrot Team Launches New Web Site to Assist the Island’s Loras (Parrots)

Sam Williams and the Bonaire Parrot Team report that they have just launched a new web site for Parrot Watch, or as they say, the site has just fledged!  You can view the site at http://www.parrotwatch.org.

On the site, viewers can regularly see updated movies of wild parrots and get to see what goes on inside their nests. They can get to know the birds, as well as follow the team’s fieldwork experiences as the season moves forward.

Access to much of the information on the site is free, but there is a section reserved for those who sponsor a volunteer or a parrot. 100% of the support given parrotwatch.org goes to help the conservation of these fantastic parrots and the Bonaire Parrot Team’s field-based research.  Interested parties can find more information about sponsorships by viewing the site.

Olivia Parrot is the current star of ParrotWatch and she already has eggs. Other loras (parrots) will be highlighted as the season progresses.  (Source:  Bonaire Parrot Team)

Saturday, June 02, 2007

Workshop on Ocean Nutrient Monitoring to be Held June 11th and 12th, 2007

Last year a nutrient monitoring program on Bonaire and Curacao started and was later joined by St. Lucia. The Department of Environment & Nature (MINA) of the Ministry of Public Health & Social Development (VSO), as coordinator of the Netherlands Antilles Coral Reef Initiative (NACRI), is organizing a two-day workshop on Bonaire to present and discuss topics of interest in regard to waste water pollution and their effects on coral reefs.

The topics will be presented by an international group of people involved with the program, including the well known expert, Brian Lapointe. There will also be time for excursions to look at some relevant sources and examples.

Location: Captain Don’s Habitat
Date: 11 & 12 June 2007
Language: English
Entrance: Free

The workshop is open to everyone, but space is limited.  Therefore, if you wish to attend, it is required that you pre-register by emailing markwieggers@hotmail.com.  Additional information and an agenda can be viewed by clicking here (in PDF format).  (Source:  NACRI)

Thursday, May 31, 2007

Washington-Slagbaai National Park Holds Annual Celebration Day on June 3rd, 2007

On Sunday, June 3, 2007, STINAPA will hold a commemorative celebration at the entrance of Washington-Slagbaai National Park, marking the past 38 years with Bonaire’s first protected area.  The Open House will keep everyone in the family entertained with walks, climbs (both easy and more difficult), swimming at Slagbaai, and bike tours.

The activities will begin from 8:00 AM and continue through the day.  (Please note that all children must be accompanied by an adult.) There will also be live music and cultural dancing, and the museum will be open all day for those who wish additional information.  Transportation to Slaagbai from the entrance will be available with departures at 9:30 AM, 11:30 AM, and 1:30 PM. 

Local food and beverages will be available for sale with all proceeds benefiting the foundation, Stichting Kunst en Kulture.  For additional information, click here, or contact STINAPA at telephone 717-8444 to register for individual events. (Source:  STINAPA)

Friday, May 25, 2007

STINAPA Bonaire Premieres a New Web Site

On May 24th, 2007, STINAPA Bonaire launched a new web site which had been in development.  STINAPA is the entity responsible for the management of Bonaire’s national parks, which encompass the Bonaire National Marine Park, Washington-Slagbaai National Park, and other areas of ecological importance.

The new site offers information about the foundation, its history, board of directors, management, and personnel, volunteer group, and data about the Nature Fee, which is collected from users of the parks.  Additionally, there are downloads, brochures, and maps (including a dive map) available, as well as a virtual tour.  Information about the Visitors Center at Washington-Slagbaai National Park is also included.

To view the new web site, click here. (Source:  STINAPA Bonaire Web Site)

Thursday, May 10, 2007

Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance Welcomes Special Guests

The Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA), an Bonaire-based organization created in 2003 to protect the natural environment and to promote sustainable management of natural resources on the six Dutch Caribbean islands, will soon welcome a number of special guests, including a representative of Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands.

In an unprecedented move, in December 2006, after a visit to Bonaire, the Dutch reigning monarch, Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands, took the decision to become a patron of DCNA, and she reaffirmed her patronage in writing earlier this month.

The visit of DCNA’s special guest is due to the upcoming DCNA board meeting taking place at Captain Don’s Habitat from May 22nd to the 24th.

In addition to the Queen’s representative, attendees will include representatives of Conservation International, De Landschappen, IUCN NL, Samerwerkingsverband Nationale Parken, BirdLife International, and delegates from all the Dutch Caribbean islands. (Source: DCNA Press Release and Images)

Monday, May 07, 2007

Bonaire Bird Count Scheduled for Sunday, May 13th

STINAPA, the organization which is responsible for monitoring and protecting Bonaire’s nature, is asking for volunteers to assist with doing a count of two particular species of birds on Bonaire - Troupials (also spelled “Trupial") and Yellow Orioles (also known on Bonaire as “Trupial Kachó"). The volunteer count is to take place between 7am and 9am this coming Sunday, May 13th (which is also Mother’s Day).

The bird count is one of a number of activities organized as part of the Caribbean Endemic Bird Festival, and its intent is to determine the population of Yellow Orioles and Troupials on Bonaire, as the numbers of Yellow Orioles is believed to be in decline, threatened by the non-native Troupial.

Volunteers are asked to sit in their gardens or any other location of their choosing on Sunday morning and count the maximum number of both Troupials and Yellow Orioles, and then report this information, as well as their observation location to STINAPA.

More details and photos of what these birds look like can be found here. (Source: STINAPA Press Release)

Monday, April 23, 2007

Bonaire Will Take Part in the Caribbean Endemic Bird Festival

Beginning with Earth Day on Sunday, April 22nd, 2007 and continuing on through May 22nd, 2007 (International Migratory Bird Day), Bonaire will participate with 12 other Caribbean islands in the Caribbean Endemic Bird Festival. 

During the month, there are several planned events focusing on Bonaire’s birds, and in particular, its Lora (parrot) and the Yellow Oriole.  To assist with with the island-wide census of the lora’s breeding activity, ten biologists will visit Bonaire during the festival. 

The activity schedule is as follows:

April 25th, Talk:  The Caribbean Parrot Crisis, by Sam Williams, at Captain Don’s Habitat at 7:00 PM

May 2nd, Talk:  Bonaire’s Birds, by Jerry Ligon, at Captain Don’s Habitat at 7:00 PM

May 5th, Lora Nest Finding:  Meet at the Washington-Slagbaai National Park entrance at 5:45 AM

May 7th, Talk:  Lora di Boneiru by Odette Doest (in Papiamentu), at Captain Don’s Habitat at 7:00 PM

May 9th, Talk:  The Sex Lives of Parrots, by Rowan Martin, at Captain Don’s Habitat at 7:00 PM

May 13th, Oriole Count:  This is an island-wide initiative. 

(Source:  Extra)