Thursday, August 19, 2010
Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire (STCB) Saves the Day, Again
It was early this morning when the emergency call came into the offices of Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire.............there were hawksbill turtle hatchlings roaming around the airport’s parking lot!
STCB staff member, “Funchi” along with volunteer “Red” Berger, headed off immediately to investigate. Together they found that a hawksbill nest located at Windsock (Donkey Beach) had hatched overnight, and some of the hatchlings were confused by the lights of the airport. Instead of immediately heading out to sea, the hatchlings instead crossed the road and made it to the airport’s parking lot where they quickly became disoriented.
Funchi and Red immediately went to their aid, finding a total of ten hatchlings which had gone astray. They were able to successfully return nine to the water, but unfortunately there was one fatality. After being sure all hatchlings were safely in the water, they investigated the nest, and found about 120 eggs, so there are at least 119 new hawksbill turtles finding their way in Bonaire’s waters.
Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire does much more than just rescue, but rescue is an important function. To learn more about how the organization rescues turtles in Bonaire’s waters, click here. (Source: Bonaire Insider reporter)
