John with 14 of them currently incubating! That’s A LOT of baby turtles anxiously awaiting their maiden voyages into the deep blue sea! Wee Babes! -Photo posted by Virgin Islands National Park
#CARA MARE SEATURTLE BRACELET UPDATE#
This week, Virgin Islands National Park posted an amazing update to the Facebook page…In total, there are currently 18 turtle nests on St.
If you see a distressed turtle, or turtle nesting tracks call the experts!
You can help! Save the number above in your phone.
#CARA MARE SEATURTLE BRACELET FULL#
In short, turtle power is in full effect with the tireless efforts of Friends VINP and National Park staffers and some 90 kind-hearted volunteers 🙂 These dedicated volunteers, led by program managers Arden Anderson and Willow Melamet, monitor assigned beaches at least 1-2 times a week from July through November looking for sea turtle nesting activity and monitoring known nesting activity. And, this time of year, their volunteer hours are amped up and the team hits the beaches at all times of day and night to watch for new nests, monitor the progress of the wee babes and assist in their protection on their arduous journey from the sand to the water’s edge. Photo Courtesy of Scuba MaxstaĪccordingly, the Sea Turtle Protection Program is one of Friends VINP’s leading initiatives. And four of them reside in the Virgin Islands. Seven species of turtles occupy the list. Of these species, only 3% have a bright horizon of recovering their numbers. Imagine…a world without sea turtles! The Endangered Species Act was passed in 1973 and, to date, protects 2,360 species that are on the brink of extinction. Know your turtles!īut, I would like to put a little emphasis on the word “endangered” here. Green turtles, Leatherbacks and the occasional Loggerhead can be spotted poking their head above the water for a breath of fresh air or during a magical underwater encounter just a few steps from the beach. John, they are just one of the four endangered species of turtles that can be found inhabiting the crystal clear, blue waters that we all know and love.
Each nest contains 80-200 ping-pong shaped eggs that incubate for around 55-75 days.- Friends VINPĪlthough Hawksnest turtles are the majority responsible for the nests on St. John.ĭuring this time, these turtles will return to their natal beaches and deposit between 3-5 nests at 14 day intervals. And this nesting season, they have had their work, gratefully, cut out for them!Īlthough, Love City is home to four species of turtles, during the peak nesting months of August to November it is the Hawksbill turtles that pre-dominantly occupy the sandy beaches of St. HA! This non-profit coordinated, National Park partnered, volunteer driven Sea Turtle Program aims to protect sea turtle nests, facilitate research projects and spread awareness of sea turtle preservation in the Virgin Islands. Friends of Virgin Islands National Park turtle team has been busy…As have the turtles of St.
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