Project Life
Volunteer on a turtle conservation project in Panama

Day Activities:

Kilometer markers: To record the exact location of nesting activity, markers have been placed either every 50 or 100 kilometers along the research beaches.

Data Collection Procedures: To prevent error and maintain consistency among all data collectors’ data will be recorded on pre-printed waterproof data sheets. Data should be written in pencil. The beach co-ordinator will demonstrate all measurement and data collection techniques and procedures.

Track Surveys: Turtle track surveys will be conducted every day. Generally surveys should be carried out early in the morning. Based on track characteristics, tracks are scored according to species (leatherback, green, hawksbill) and whether a nest was made (nesting emergence) or not (non-nesting emergence, or ‘false crawl’). Leatherback tracks will be recognized by their very large size and location on the beach, which is generally restricted to the berm. Hawksbill tracks will be recognized by their relatively small size, alternate crawl pattern and usual nesting location in the beach-side vegetation. Green turtle tracks will be distinguished from the previous two species by their medium size. The location of the track will be recorded relative to the proximate mile marker. Incidence of predation (only animal tracks surrounding an excavated nest), or poaching (human tracks surrounding an excavated nest, and the presence of test holes made by a stick or metal rod pushed into the sand) should also be noted. Track surveys are conducted using a protocol that provides an unbiased accounting of the absolute number of emergences per stretch of beach examined. These data will be used to determine relative numbers of nesting and non-nesting emergences for each of the four species, their nesting distribution along and among area beaches, and their respective relative population sizes.

Policy on Poachers: Our activity with regard to sea turtles is strictly research and conservation. Policing is the responsibility of national park and law enforcement officials. We do not want the people of the region, many of whom have been eating sea turtle as part of their culture all their lives, to perceive us as a threat to their livelihood. We will achieve our goal to reduce poaching through education and other means.

Relocation of Nests: Nests that are encountered being washed away through beach erosion, caused by high tides, may be relocated to a new site. Eggs need to be carried to the new site in their original orientation and deposited in artificial nests dug approximately 0.75 m below the surface and reburied. On some of the beaches where poaching or erosion is a problem, the eggs are relocated to hatcheries.

Nocturnal Activities:

Tagging Protocol: Tagging of turtles will be conducted at night (between 20.00 - 06.00). Nightly tagging teams will work in shifts. Only flashlights equipped with red filters should be used during the tagging operation. When a turtle is first sighted on the beach, it should be approached cautiously to determine if the individual has just emerged, is engaged in nesting, or is returning to the surf. If the turtle is deemed newly emerged, the taggers should remain about 30m away until actual nest construction begins before approaching the individual closely. After identifying the species involved all flippers are then examined for the presence of tags and classified into one of three categories: recruit (no tag present), re-migrant (tag present but not encountered previously during the current season), and re-nester (tag present and encountered at least once previously in the current season) Two tags (one in each flipper) are to be attached to the proximal, trailing edge of the posterior flippers (leatherback), or in a similar position on the anterior flippers (hawksbill, green, loggerhead). The lower numbered tag is secured to the left flipper. Tags are generally applied while the turtle is covering the nest, but occasionally tags may be applied as turtles head back to the sea.

Nesting Behavior: Data on nesting behavior will be collected incidental to tagging operations. Using a modified version of the nesting behavior profile developed by Archie Carr, nesting behavior is divided into six categories: 1) emergence and nest site selection, 2) body pit construction, 3) nest cavity excavation, 4) egg deposition, 5) nest burial and disguising, 6) return to water. These data should be collected whenever situation and time allows.

Biometric Data: Several types of data will be collected from nesting leatherbacks. These include over the curve carapace width (OCCW) and notch to tip (OCCL), number of eggs deposited (both yolked and yolkless), and the largest diameter of 10 randomly selected yolked eggs. Wearing latex gloves, taggers will collect eggs as they are oviposited and place them in a depression in the sand. Egg diameters are measured with calipers. Eggs are returned to the nest cavity prior to the female covering the eggs. The date, time and location and nesting zone (open beach, border of vegetation, within vegetation), presence of old tag holes/notches, and physical abnormalities of the turtle are also recorded.