Turtles in Montserrat

 

Turtles come to  Montserrat every year to nest.  Nesting season starts in May and runs to the end of September. Eggs are collected during this time and taken to a hatchery for incubation.  The hatchlings are released from the beginning of September through to the end of December. Incubation takes 75 days. Turtles take 10 years to reach maturity before they start producing eggs.  The hatchery has proved very important for turtle conservation in Montserrat. To date, at the beginning of November 2014, over 3000 hatchlings have been released in Montserrat this season, 10% of which will survive, returning eventually to lay eggs in Montserrat.  The hatchery has meant that there has been a 75% increase in hatchling survival rates in Montserrat as opposed to when the hatchlings were left to hatch on the beaches.

 

We have a population of Hawksbill, Leatherback, Green and Loggerhead turtles, which are protected during the nesting season.  The official closed season dates, for protection of the turtles, are from 1 June to 30 September.  Turtles are an endangered species and we are working hard to protect the survival of the species.  John jeffers is the most knowlegeable person on Montserrat about turtle conservation and has trained many volunteers,  He has 36 years experience of turtle conservation and received an MBE for his work. Whilst learning with John, volunteers will be instructed on monitoring, tagging and can help release the hatchlings.

 

For anyone interested in turtle conservation, Turtle Conservation Montserrat can provide a unique chance on a remote volcanic island to learn all about turtles and their protection.  Get involved!