It's nesting season here in St Lucia, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa for loggerhead and giant leatherback turtles. These rare and incredible reptiles can be seen from November to January making the perilous journey from the ocean to nest on the towering dunes.
This particular miracle of nature is a sight to behold. The loggerhead turtle, the smaller of the two species which nest on St Lucia's titanium-rich sands, weighs an average of 75-160 kg and is extremely agile and proficient in her underwater environment. However, negotiating the uphill climb to a suitable nesting ground proves extremely hard work. The first nesting trip of a mature female will be only her second experience on land -- and the first in 15 to 20 years. The nest is a funnel-like hole in the sand in which are laid 100--120 eggs. Nesting takes place at night and the turtle uses the moonlight on the waves to guide her back to the sea. This may be repeated several times during the season before the turtle returns to the ocean for another two or three years, until she is ready to breed again.
The eggs stay incubated beneath the sand for 2 months before the second stage in this delicate and ancient cycle. On hatching, the tiny turtles burrow out of their sandy hiding place at night and begin the perilous dash to the ocean. Many do not make it even this far, as predators lie in wait for these Olympic sprints and pick off those that do not dash fast enough. And this is just the beginning of the fight for survival. Once in the ocean, predation is intense and the hatchlings must learn how to survive in an often forbidding environment. Sadly only 1 or 2 of every thousand hatchlings will reach maturity. When they do, the females miraculously return to breed at the exact same beach upon which they last dashed for survival more than a decade before.
The other nesting turtle in this area is the giant Leatherback -- the largest marine turtle in the world. Weighing an incredible 500- 750 kg, this massive reptile is a true wonder of nature. She has very large flippers and her skin is decorated with pink and white spots, whilst the name reflects the characteristic leathery carapace that covers her back. Adult leatherbacks live on an exclusive diet of jellyfish and are immune even to the toxins of the deadly Man o' War. Their breeding routine is similar to that of the Loggerhead.
These protected species are known to be improving in numbers thanks to the conservation efforts in St Lucia and other nest-sites around the world. Their natural predators are few: sharks are a threat but undoubtedly they have the most to fear from man. Many giant turtles, including Loggerheads and Leatherbacks, are lost to fishing and injured by boats, as well as a large number that suffer the effects of pollution and carelessness. However, thanks to their internationally protected status, awareness is being raised and the outlook for the future of these fantastic creatures is positive.
Guided turtle tours can be arranged in St Lucia during the breeding months of November to March for those who would like to witness one of nature's most ancient miracles.
Jeff Asher-Wood has one of just two official concessions to track the turtles on this stretch of coastline.
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Turtle tour with EuroZulu.com - Part IIby bcharmse584 views
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