Trinidad's Leatherback Sea Turtles

In 2011 we took our second trip to Matura, Trinidad to assist with the tagging and measuring of the leatherback sea turtle.  We were there at the peak of the nesting season.  We saw many mother turtles laying eggs and also saw many hatchlings.  Once again, we assisted the Nature Seekers with nocturnal beach patrols, tagging of  nesting turtles, collection of morphometric information (size and shape measurements), assessment of population trends and behavioral patterns, supervision of ecotourism, and education of  the public.  On this expedition, we also had the chance to dig out hatched turtle nests to estimate the proportion of eggs laid that actually hatched.  It was smelly science for sure!

"It was an unbelievable experience and one he will never forget. He was so  enthusiastic about everything you did, talked us through the 200+ photos on  Facebook. He has come home even more determined and focused to pursue  conservation and animals."   Josie S (parent, Trinidad 2011)