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May 7, 2008
Leatherback sea turtles choose Cabarete
Environmentalists are overjoyed that three leatherback turtles (Dermochelys coriacea), have decided to make their nests on Cabarete beach. This was announced by a representative of the environmental organisation 'Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales' (Semarena) on 1 May. This particular type of turtle lives only in the sea and the females come onto the beach once every three years to lay their eggs. They usually return to the beach where they themselves were born. However, it is unusual that three turtles have chosen Cabarete beach, where it is usually crowded with tourists, and not really the ideal quiet place for turtles to lay their eggs.
Leatherback sea turtle
The nests were found around 800 metres from each other.
Delicacy
The environmental organisation hopes, in cooperation with the tourist police (Politur), the guard the nests and ensure that dogs or other predators do not steal the eggs.
The wooden fencing
The meat from the turtle is not really suitable for consumption and can even be poisonous, but the eggs are considered a delicacy.
Many Dominicans enjoy them and are prepared to pay very high prices.
The environmental organisation has surrounded the nests with barbed wire and wooden fencing.
Hopefully this will provide sufficient protection so that the eggs can hatch in peace and quiet.
The baby turtles are expected to hatch sometime at the beginning of June (around 75 eggs per nest) and then make their way back into the ocean.
Further information is available from:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leatherback
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