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Seychelles Island Saves Critically Endangered Turtles
1 Sep
Summary
- Cousine Island, a private sanctuary, has protected nesting hawksbill turtles since 1991.
- Over 900 female hawksbills have been monitored since the 1993-94 nesting season.
- Conservation efforts include vegetation restoration and managing beach erosion.
Cousine Island, a private conservation sanctuary in Seychelles, has dedicated itself to protecting critically endangered hawksbill turtles since 1991. Upon acquiring the island, restoration efforts commenced, focusing on removing invasive species and replanting indigenous vegetation, with approximately 8,000 trees planted to date. This work supports a long-standing turtle monitoring program that has identified over 900 individual female hawksbill turtles since the 1993-94 nesting season.
The island's main nesting beach, approximately 900 meters long, faces natural challenges such as seasonal erosion from monsoons and predation by ghost crabs. Conservation staff meticulously monitor nesting activity, track individual turtles, and use beach-movement data and crab density information to determine if nests require relocation to ensure their safety.
These dedicated conservation initiatives have yielded significant results, with nearly 15,000 hawksbill hatchlings successfully released into the sea during the 2019-20 season. Cousine Island continues to operate as a private sanctuary where conservation and tourism coexist, contributing to the survival of one of the world's important remaining nesting areas for hawksbill turtles.
