Helping hand for Hawksbills

QATAR | Friday, 28 June 2013 | Views [506] | View Smaller Image

Valuable hatchlings: Each turtle in Fuwairit counts, as the population of Hawksbill turtles is estimated to have decreased by 80% over the past three generations. The hatchlings are counted and weighed before they cross the warm sand into the sea, for the last time in twenty years for females, or last time ever for males.

The dig: Performed by Mr Ahmed Chikhi (aka “Chikhi”), businessman by day and turtle ranger by night. Because the hawksbill turtle is critically endangered, some extra measures are taken to ensure that the hatchlings reach the sea safely. This includes a controlled release, where the little ones are carefully aided through the last layer of sand and later into the sea. No turtles are dug out until the rangers are certain they have hatched and already started making their way towards the surface.

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Successful release: During the first two days of the 2013 hatching season, 129 sea turtles make it into the surf in Fuwairit. At this time of year there are still many nests to monitor and many hatchlings to help in Qatar.

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Helping hand for Hawksbills

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