Watamu Turtle Watch

Today I had the pleasure of visiting the Watamu Turtle Watch. The center is right across the street from Mwamba, so it was just a quick walk to get there. I wanted to post specifically about this organization because they are doing really awesome work for marine conservation here in Kenya. The center currently has 3 rehab turtles that they are hoping to release back into the ocean in the near future. One of them was a gigantic Green Sea Turtle, probably 4 feet long, which had been hit in its eye by a rock (I think) that had been thrown by a boat propeller. The poor thing has bandages on his face and is in very little water until the wound can heal. Other than that, though, he is healthy. He does, however, need to regain good sight to be able to survive in the ocean.

This turtle's eye is covered with bandages from his injury.

Another of the turtles there had been hit directly by a boat propeller, and her shell was cracked open. Luckily, I learned, turtle shells are like fingernails and will grow back eventually and allow her to be released back into the ocean. The third turtle was quite small and had buoyancy problems, so she can not dive for her food, which includes prawns and squid.

The turtles are often caught in fishermen's nets, and the fishermen can call Turtle Watch to have them rescued. When the staff go to collect the turtle, they also pay the fisherman for calling in and allowing the turtle to be collected by Turtle Watch. I found this a bit strange, but our guide did not believe that the turtles are being targeted for monetary gain. Paying the fishermen may also really help because turtles are eaten here, and they can also be turned into turtle oil, and their shells are quite valuable.

This is Olivia, the turtle with buoyancy problems.

Watamu Turtle Watch also does a nightly beach walk to check for nesting sea turtles, which are vulnerable while on the beach. Lights can disorient them and prevent them from laying their eggs, and they can also choose poor spots for nesting. Turtle Watch both protects nesting females, the nests themselves, and will move the nests if necessary. The coolest thing about this particular organization, I thought, is that they take the turtles out to the ocean to swim once in a while to check on the turtle's progress. I don't know if many other marine animal rehab centers do this, but it seems like a really good idea to allow these creatures to be in their natural habitat while being rehabilitated. Then, when the turtle is ready, the staff release him into the ocean.

This turtle's shell was cracked.

I would encourage anyone interested in marine conservation to look up Watamu Turtle Watch and support them in any way you can! Check out www.watamuturtles.com! Also, if you don't want to support this particular organization, I would encourage you all to find the small non-profits that need and deserve support from the local community!