Barbados Sea Turtle Project
The Barbados Sea Turtle Project is has been involved in conservation for more than 30 years.
The vision of the Barbados Sea Turtle Project (University of the West Indies Cave Hill Campus) is to restore local marine turtle populations to levels at which they can fulfil their ecological roles while still providing opportunities for sustainable use by the people of Barbados, and to support similar efforts in other countries of the Caribbean. The Barbados Sea Turtle Project emphasizes partner
Good News! - Female Hawksbill rescued from a pool on July 3rd! Things have been quite sad recently so we will be sharing some of the successful rescues we have had in the last few weeks. We received a call from concerned family about a nesting turtle that had stayed onto their property through a damage wall and fallen into the pool. With their help we were able to quickly get her out and back to the sea safely. A special thank you to Ato (White shirt and jeans) and his boys as the Rockley Golf Club who granted him permission to join Carla on this Rescue mission. Thank you to everyone involved! There are way more people that care than don't. We are forever grateful for the amazing community that helps up to do what we do best ... keep our turtles safe. Together we can! 24hr Hotline - 230-0142.
07/07/2024
YOU CAN HELP! >>>>We have reached the peak of the 2024 Hawksbill Nesting season and our turtles are having a hard time in the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl. Severe erosion has created steep drops and severely limited areas suitable for nesting. Shifted sands have created increased access to properties and areas where turtles can leave the beach encountering physical hazzards and hazzardous situations. The number of rescues has increased dramatically and there has already been one fatality. Here is how you can help .. it takes a community to save our turtles. Together we can
The Impact of Hurricane Beryl on Sea Turtles
Leatherback hatchling rescue!!
28/05/2024
This morning four days before the start of the 2024 nesting season while responding to what we thought was a call for a dug up nest we made a greusome discovery. Eggs still in the female turtle's ovidicts were buried on the beach. Hours later we discovered her brutally butchered body. She was carved up and harvested ..evidence suggesting it was done while she lived. This turtle was first tagged in 2016 when she nested on the South Coast Boardwalk. She beat all the odds to survive over 30 years only to die horribly at the hands of people as she crawled from the sea to lay her eggs. We strongly condem this illegal act and we are asking anyone who has any information to anonymously call our hotline - 230-0142 or the Barbados Police Service.
A special thank you to our amazing group of interns who were confronted with this difficult situation on their first full day of field training.
We have to do better as a people. Unless we begin to recognise the importance of the environment and Biodiversity of this beautiful island we call home... no amount of conservation will matter.
We can only make a difference TOGETHER
💔
01/05/2024
FINAL CALL - Internship applications close TODAY. We would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who reached out for more information and shared our Ad! We are now in the final stretch as the season begins in a few weeks. This is your last chance to submit an application for the first half of the 2024 hawksbill nesting season
27/04/2024
Applications close on May 2nd!
INTERN / VOLUNTEER WITH US!
We are now accepting applications for the 2024 nesting season! This is an amazing opportunity to work towards the conservation of critically endangered sea turtles in Barbados. Work with an amazing team while making lifelong friends. Stipends are available and students can complete their giveback hours. Regional and International applicants are welcome with accommodation provided! Gain invaluable field experience and knowledge while having the adventure of a lifetime! To apply send an email to [email protected] for a copy of our information booklet and an application form! Applications must be submitted by May 2nd 2024!
24/04/2024
Intern with us!
Applications are still being accepted. If you are a tertiary student you can complete your give back hours with us!
17/03/2024
INTERN / VOLUNTEER WITH US!
We are now accepting applications for the 2024 nesting season! This is an amazing opportunity to work towards the conservation of critically endangered sea turtles in Barbados. Work with an amazing team while making lifelong friends. Stipends are available and students can complete their giveback hours. Regional and International applicants are welcome with accommodation provided! Gain invaluable field experience and knowledge while having the adventure of a lifetime! To apply send an email to [email protected] for a copy of our information booklet and an application form! Applications must be submitted by May 2nd 2024!
21/02/2024
PART 2/2* The end of Olive's Story. Upon arrival at the clinic, Olive was xrayed and it was discovered that her neck was broken. Dr. Gus Reader believed that she would have been able to breathe but not eat ..as a result she had been starving to death for weeks. The decision was made to euthanise her to end her suffering. In this case it was an act of true mercy. Her injury may have been caused by a spear but we cannot be certain. What is a certainty is her remarkable will to live that allowed her to survive that horrific injury and to continue to survive for possibly months. We are blessed to have Dr. Reader and care for our animals - we cannot thank them enough for their efforts over the years. Olive is now sleeping in peace - thank you to everyone involved ❤️
PART 2/2* The end of Olive's Story. Upon arrival at the clinic, Olive was xrayed and it was discovered that her neck was broken. Dr. Gus Reader believed that she would have been able to breathe but not eat ..as a result she had been starving to death for weeks. The decision was made to euthanise her to end her suffering. In this case it was an act of true mercy. Her injury may have been caused by a spear but we cannot be certain. What is a certainty is her remarkable will to live that allowed her to survive that horrific injury and to continue to survive for possibly months. We are blessed to have Dr. Reader and care for our animals - we cannot thank them enough for their efforts over the years. Olive is now sleeping in peace - thank you to everyone involved ❤️
*PART 1/2* RESCUED - Yesterday we received a call (24hr 230-0142) about a turtle that was found floating in the lagoon of the Bridgetown Fishing Complex. We have named the turtle Olive and this is the first part of its story.
Jason Kinch was at work on his boat yesterday when he was told about a turtle between the dolosse (large cement wave dissipating concrete structures). As soon as he saw it he knew something was wrong and he reported it. The hotline was called and Carla responded. Jason met her and took her to see the turtle which was clearly in a bad state. >>>Carla: Normally I'm all for climbing over rocks and just jumping right in but in this case the spaces between the blocks were wide ..and knowing exactly how short my legs were I was scared I would slip and fall in. Even Jason with his longer legs had to stretch so I asked if he could get Olive on his own and he went over. Within seconds he slipped and fell - my heart was in my hands. He had a gash on his shin and an orange sized limp formed before my eyes. Inspite of that he continued on to the turtle. That was when I ran to get my phone to record - because I wanted everyone to see the lengths that Jason had gone to rescue this turtle. At the end 2 other fishermen came to help get her onto the Dock. It was then that her truly horrible condition became apparent she was completely emaciated and had clearly been suffering for a long time. I picked her up (she was heavier than she looked) and hurried to the car - at the gate I asked a random passer by for help and he took a photo of an injury to her neck for me - followed me to the car, unlocked and helped me get her settled. Olive and I then set off across the island on a nervewracking trip to the vet ...
Our sea turtle conservation efforts would never be possible without the hundreds of amazing people who care, call and help - this was never more apparent that yesterday! A huge thank you to Mr. Jason Kinch for his heroic assistance and to everyone who lent a hand ❤️
...TO BE CONTINUED
17/02/2024
On February 3rd we received a hotline (230-0142 24hrs) call from the Barbados Blue Dive Shop team. They found a juvenile green turtle which was found at the surface of the water and appeared I'll. Carla looked after "her" overnight and even though she seemed active we wanted to have her checked out. The following day Dr. Laura Williams from WellVet Clinic very kindly opened the clinic to look her over. After numerous xrays and consultations she was given a clean bill of health. She was released at a south coast beach and took off like a shot! It really takes a village - a huge thank you to everyone involved for their time, resources, care and consideration
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