Sea Turtles are thought to have evolved over 200 million years ago. These magnificent creatures have outlived the dinosaurs! However their populations are now at severe risk. All species of marine turtle are classed as endangered or critically endangered and protected globally by CITES.
The human impact on sea turtles is two-fold. There are accidental effects from fishing, propeller impacts and pollution. On top of that humans continue to poach turtle eggs and hunt the adults for their meat, hide and carapace. The pressures facing turtles are such that the survival rate from hatchling to adult is estimated to be as low as one in one thousand!
In the past, eggs were traditionally collected in isolated areas with few resources and eaten as a source of protein. Presently, with the decline in populations, this practice is no longer sustainable, and if nothing is done to slow their population decline both the Leatherback and the Hawksbill species which are critically endangered), could face extinction within ten years, with other species following in the near future.
We work closely with local egg-collectors to safely relocate eggs to our sheltered hatchery at Melina Beach Resort on Tioman Island, where they will be protected from poachers and natural predators such as ghost crabs, monitor lizards, cats and dogs. The hatchery has expanded drastically over the last 9 years. We bury the eggs in a nest, modelled as closely as possible on the natural nest of that particular species. 2009 has been our most successful year ever with 28 nests.
As a student on an Ecofieldtrip to Tioman Island, you may have the privilege of seeing a nest relocated and buried in our hatchery, or, if you are really lucky, a turtle laying her eggs.
Click on the link (bottom right) to follow the progress of our hatchery.
