Sea turtles have become the face of everything from climate change to plastic pollution, and dramatic photos and rescue videos flood our news feeds. However, conservationists finally have some good news to tell. In Cambodia, they found the nest of nine green and spiny-fronted turtles on the coastline of a remote island. These nests contain hundreds of eggs, which could be a lifesaver for threatened sea turtle populations living in the area.
Just like sea turtles, spiny-fronted sea turtles are in critical and endangered status. The WWF notes that they feed on sponges and jellyfish and are essential for the health of seagrass beds and coral reefs. The green sea turtle is the only adult strictly herbivorous sea turtle that feeds primarily on seagrass and algae. Although both turtle populations face threats from warming oceans and pollution, the problem faced by green sea turtles is the feminization of pollutants, resulting in the problem of having only female offspring.
Fauna and Flora's team has been searching the area for turtle nests for years, and they believe this untouched coastline will be an ideal nest for these marine reptiles. In March 2022, they finally got the news they'd been waiting for: a nest had been discovered.
Fauna and Flora's team has been working with the Cambodian Navy and volunteers to train them on turtle identification and nest locations. There are already daily patrols to check for signs of turtles and their nests.
"For me, being part of this volunteer team is a pleasure, and the experience of discovering a turtle nest for the first time in Cambodia is even more amazing. Cambodian Navy volunteer Chea Bona said in a statement sent to IFLScience.
As 2023 draws to a close, the team has discovered nine more nests, of which five have been confirmed and two have hatched.
"The dedication and commitment of our volunteers is not in vain, and this vital evidence will play a vital role in shaping the policies and decisions related to sea turtle conservation in Cambodia that will help the survival of these incredible species. Chandara Tak, a member of Fauna and Flora's Cambodia Marine team, said.