At the start of 2024, we are delighted to share with you some photos and figures from the green turtle nesting season, currently taking place on Tetiaroa atoll, where our collaborators have been conducting a scientific study for over for 15 years in partnership with the Direction of the Environment of French Polynesia.
The year 2023 ended for our teams with 845 turtle tracks observed on the 13 motu that make up the atoll. 50 turtles𝟱 were identified and 412 nests were recorded.
With more than 2,170 hatchlings already out of their nests according to the counts of empty shells made by our teams, this season, which will last until around April, looks promising…
In total, 26 night time survey sessions were carried out in addition to daily daytime surveys to identify tracks, with a record of 6 turtles observed in a single night on Tiaraunu motu.
Several turtles had already ben observed in the past on Tetiaroa: Ahoroa in particular had been recorded during the 2011-2012 nesting season then during the 2017-2018 season before returning this year to deposit its eggs again on the beaches of the atoll. Finally, a depigmented resident turtle which had been observed in 2014 and then in April and November this year was photographed by drone. An image of great beauty.
A big thank you to all our supporters, our generous partners, our talented and motivated collaborators, our tireless volunteers who have allowed this study to continue since 2007 and to provide crucial information on the life cycle of this globally endangered species that we are fortunate to be able to observe in Polynesian waters.
Partners : Direction de l’Environnement Polynésie Française, The Brando, Hinerava, Polynésie Voyages, Tetiaroa Society, Vilebrequin, Van Oord, Esri France, Air Tahiti Nui, IFBD, Pacific Beachcomber, Aremiti Tahiti – Moorea, Hello Scoot, Avis Tahiti, Andrew Sabin Foundation, Kristin Hettermann & Sven Lindblad, Jean-François Clervoy & Frank Lehot, Carl Swanes.
