Yesterday, we had an engaging and educational session on Sea Turtle Conservation led by the Olive Ridley Project team. Dr. Joana Hancock provided a warm introduction, followed by an insightful and interactive presentation by madam Diana.
We learned fascinating details about sea turtles, including the origins of the name 'Olive Ridley', which is one of the five main sea turtle species alongside the green turtle, hawksbill, leatherback, and loggerhead. Each species has unique feeding habits and ecological roles, such as maintaining healthy seagrass beds and coral reefs.
Key takeaways included identifying male and female turtles by tail length, the turtles' long migrations to breeding sites, and their remarkable ability to hold their breath underwater for hours. However, the session also shed light on challenges like illegal fishing, bycatch, and plastic pollution, emphasizing the need for conservation efforts and raising awareness.
We even had fun playing a photo-matching game with sea turtle pictures and we learned how to contribute to Kenya’s Sea Turtle Photo-ID database. You can help by photographing each side of a turtle's face, noting the date and location, and sharing it with the Olive Ridley Project team.
It was a memorable and eye-opening session, inspiring us to protect these incredible marine creatures and their habitats.
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