“Hey! Could I get a hand here?” Caribbean Journal recently attended a green turtle hatching at the Rosalie Bay Resort in Dominica. Turtle nesting season in Dominica is April through October.
Rosalie Bay hosts regular hatchings and educational events. Residents, staff and guests gather at these events. The local community is involved in the inspirational nature enhancement project.
Sea turtles have existed for over 100 million years — since the time when dinosaurs walked the earth. Here at Rosalie Bay Beach, Dominica, it’s a real world Jurassic park.
Sea turtles are harbingers of the affects of climate change and an increasingly endangered environment. Six species of sea turtles including the green turtle are on the endangered species list, some critically endangered. (Photo: Marinecreatures.com)
Everyone has to start somewhere. For these green turtles life begins here. Each nest contains eggs that have been rescued and then buried beneath the warm black sands of Rosalie Beach. The normal gestation period is about 2 months. As fully grown green turtles, adults can weigh 400 pounds with shell length of 3.5 feet.
The longest journey begins with a single step. A male green turtle will live its entire life at sea and travel thousands of miles a year. Females tend to return to the beach where they hatched to lay eggs. Every day is a battle for this sentinel of the sea.Green turtles are especially susceptible to environmental changes; Too much light on shore, commercial nets, poaching, and diminishing sea grasses. Lots to overcome for such a little guy!
The Turtle Hut at Rosalie Bay- a simple gathering point and information center connects the community, tourism and travelers to the mission.
These leatherbacks are heading off into the sea. A leatherback can travel over 10,000 miles a year!
– CJ