The leatherback sea turtle is the largest of all turtles and one of the largest living reptiles. It is presently in grave danger of extinction from varied, but as yet largely unidentified causes. During nesting, a female leatherback leaves the safety of the ocean for a brief time at night to haul her great bulk (1500 lbs or more) up onto a beach to dig a nest and lay her eggs. Doing her best to disguise the location of the nest she then drags herself back to the sea. It is only during this brief time that people can view this critically endangered living dinosaur-like animal on a few beaches throughout the world. Isla Culebra, a beautiful Caribbean island is home to one of the largest surviving nesting beaches for this species. Deep clear waters and high energy beaches provide perfect nesting spots. However, due to the ease of reaching this beach man has poached the turtle eggs here for many years. This project incorporates studies of this magnificent animal with active nest protection.
The success of any good research project is often reliant upon the interest and participation of people such as you. We hope you will participate in the project and will learn a great deal while assisting the Leatherback turtle.
During your time in Culebra each day will include a lecture by the Principal Investigator or one of the senior scientist working on the program. All have many years experience with sea turtles and will provide an engaging educational opportunity. Lectures will be scheduled at times such that they will not interfere with your working on the project, nor some of the other associated activities.
We deeply appreciate your interest in participating in the Culebra Leatherback Sea Turtle Research Project for 2000. For an application, please click here. Then please print and complete the attached form and return to CRESLI, Division of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Kramer Science Center, Dowling College, Oakdale, NY 11769-1999.
We suggest you make your arrangements as early as possible next year since these program will fill quickly. After the project coordinator receives and approves your application, you will be contacted and arrangements made for your scheduled session. You will receive an introductory newsletter that will contain the names and pertinent information about the staff, interns and students working on the project. You will also receive a training manual familiarize you with all aspects of the project and what will be expected of you. In most instances your first assignments time will also be training sessions and you will be free to ask any questions you may have. We hope this will facilitate an easy transition into the project team.
Please contact CRESLI at (631) 244-3352 or e-mail us at culebra@cresli.org with any problems or questions you may have.
This summer, 11 female leatherbacks that nested on Isla Culebra were fitted by CRESLI's Sam Sadove with satellite telemetry TDR devices. Periodically, maps of the position and track of these turtles will be posted here. To see the maps, click here. Keep checking these pages for further updates.