24 Oct 2019

Releasing Hawksbill Turtle Hatchlings

It takes just minutes for all 119 Hawksbill Turtle hatchlings to reach the ocean off the Arnavon Islands. Looking and moving like wind up toys, we watch in quiet awe as the tiny turtles instinctively make their way to the water in a flurry of flippers as Arnavon Community Marine Park project co-ordinator Henry Kaniki strums his trusty ukelele.

Their safe passage assisted by a specially-created channel in the sand created by the islands' rangers who have protected the eggs and young turtles up until this moment. Our presence this morning ensures none will be taken by birds before they reach the water – further increasing their chance of survival.

Knowing that only 1 in 1,000 of these critically endangered hatchlings will reach adulthood and return in 30 years to breed and lay their own eggs on the same stretch of beach emphasises the importance of the work being done by this community-led initiative. It is humbling to learn how our support, along with the surrounding villages, has secured safe nesting sites for the turtles.

Henry informs us that around 1,500 turtles nest on the Island each year, with 12 rangers assisting some 200,000 hatchlings make it safely to the water. As the last of our turtles take their first dip in the ocean, we wish them well knowing they will need more than our good wishes.

Following the unique opportunity of watching the hatchlings start their journey to the open ocean, we set off on the final leg of our own journey aboard Spirit of Enderby bound for Honiara and a farwell feast planned by our chefs Juergen and Bek this evening.

Image (c) I.Wilson, Heritage Expeditions