🇰🇪 Kenya sea turtles: Rescuing endangered species | Al Jazeera English

Summary

On the Kenyan coast, green and olive ridley turtles, both endangered, face threats from poaching despite hunting being illegal. Local conservationists patrol nesting sites to protect the turtles and relocate eggs to safer areas. Despite efforts, many turtles are still at risk, with only one in a thousand hatchlings surviving to adulthood. The community's struggle with awareness and the ongoing issue of poaching are highlighted.

Takeaways

• 🐢 **Endangered Species**: Green and olive ridley turtles are endangered species that nest on the Kenyan coast.
• 🚨 **Poaching Threat**: Despite hunting being illegal, turtles are still at risk from poachers who seek them for meat and oil.
• 💡 **Medicinal and Aphrodisiac Beliefs**: Some locals believe turtle oil has medicinal properties and is an aphrodisiac.
• 👮 **Conservation Efforts**: Local conservation groups patrol the beaches to protect nesting turtles from poachers.
• 🔖 **Tagging System**: Turtles are tagged to monitor and keep a count of the number of nesting females.
• 🌴 **Protected Areas**: Nesting in protected areas increases the chances of survival for turtles and their eggs.
• 🥚 **Egg Protection**: Female turtles cover their eggs to protect them from predators, and in danger zones, conservationists move the eggs to safer locations.
• 📊 **Bi-Weekly Surveys**: Conservation groups conduct bi-weekly surveys to assess the situation on the beaches, often finding grim results like turtle remains.
• 👨‍🌾 **Community Outreach**: Efforts are made to raise awareness among local communities about the importance of turtle conservation.
• 💰 **Incentivizing Reporting**: Fishermen who report trapped turtles to authorities are sometimes rewarded, which helps in conservation efforts.
• 🐾 **Low Survival Rate**: Only one in a thousand turtle hatchlings that reach the ocean will survive to adulthood.

Q & A

What are the two endangered turtle species nesting on the Kenyan coast?

The two endangered turtle species nesting on the Kenyan coast are green and olive ridley turtles.

Why is the life of turtles in danger when they come out of the ocean to nest?

The turtles' lives are in danger because hunting them is illegal but still occurs for their meat and oil, which are believed to have medicinal properties and aphrodisiac effects.

What is the role of the local title conservation group?

The local title conservation group's role is to guard the turtles, patrol the area to protect nesting mothers from poaching, and tag them to keep count of their numbers.

How long does it take for a turtle to lay her eggs?

It takes up to four hours of hard labor for a turtle to lay her eggs.

What measures do turtles take to protect their eggs from predators?

Turtles cover their eggs up as best as they can after laying them, which is their way of protecting them from predators.

Why are some turtle eggs moved to a safer area by the title watchers?

Some turtle eggs are moved to a safer area by the title watchers because they are laid in danger zones, which are too exposed and not safe from poachers or direct sunlight.

What is the frequency of the surveys conducted by the conservation group during the nesting season?

The conservation group conducts bi-weekly surveys during the nesting season.

What was the outcome of the last survey conducted by the conservation group?

The last survey conducted by the conservation group collected a total of 82 turtle remains.

What is the impact of outreach and awareness programs on the local population regarding turtle conservation?

Despite outreach and awareness programs, the local population is still not fully ready to work with the conservation group, indicating that more efforts are needed to change attitudes.

How does the program incentivize fishermen to hand over trapped turtles instead of poaching them?

The program incentivizes fishermen by offering them a fee for handing over trapped turtles to government wildlife wardens or conservationists.

What is the survival rate of turtle hatchlings that make their way into the ocean?

Only one in a thousand turtle hatchlings that make their way into the ocean will survive into adulthood.