PRETORIA - Scientists have identified Gabon in West Africa as the home of the world’s largest leatherback turtle population.
The research involved country-wide land and aerial surveys that estimated a population of between 15,000 and 42,000 female turtles using the nesting beaches.
The study highlights the importance of conservation work to manage key sites and protected areas in Gabon.
Leatherbacks are of profound conservation concern around the world after populations in the Indo-Pacific crashed by more than 90 percent in the 1980s and 1990s.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) lists leatherback turtles as critically endangered globally, but detailed population assessments in much of the Atlantic, especially Africa, are lacking.
The research was led by the University of Exeter working in collaboration with the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) which spearheads the Gabon Sea Turtle Partnership, a network of organisations concerned with the protection of marine turtles in Gabon, said an Exter release.
During three nesting seasons between 2002 and 2007, the team’s members carried out the most comprehensive survey of marine turtles ever conducted in Gabon.
These findings were published in the May issue of Biological Conservation.
Filed under Africa, News, turtle | Tags: Pretoria | Comment Below
Related?
World's largest leatherback sea turtle population identifiedMay 18th, 2009 WASHINGTON - In a new research, an international team of scientists has identified the world's largest leatherback sea turtle population in Gabon, West Africa. The research involved country-wide land and aerial surveys that estimated a population of between 15,730 and 41,373 female turtles using the nesting beaches.
Prehistoric Leatherback turtles threatened with extinctionMarch 14th, 2009 WASHINGTON - In a new study, it has been determined that the prehistoric leatherback turtles, who survived even the extinction of dinosaurs, are now threatened with extinction themselves, all thanks to humans. Leatherback turtles are the descendants of one of the oldest family trees in history, spanning 100 million years.
West Bengal fishermen held for fishing at turtle siteFebruary 7th, 2009 BHUBANESWAR - At least 10 fishermen from West Bengal were arrested for fishing in the prohibited area of a turtle nesting site in Orissa's Kendrapada district, officials said Sunday. Forest and coast guard personnel caught the fishermen when they were fishing within 20 km off the Gahirmatha sanctuary, some 174 km from here, Saturday evening, forest officer P.K.
The ''two-headed turtle'' disappeared from the store August 19th, 2008 The turtle had been popular among the neighborhood children, and had been kept in the window area. Sometime on Sunday, between the store’s opening, at 11 a.m., and noon, when a child asked Mr.
Researchers say 75-million-year-old pregnant turtle fossil in Utah is country's 1st such findMay 9th, 2009 Rare prehistoric pregnant turtle found in UtahSALT LAKE CITY — Paleontologists say a 75-million-year-old turtle fossil uncovered in southern Utah has a clutch of eggs inside, making it the first prehistoric pregnant turtle found in the United States. At least three eggs are visible from the outside of the fossil, and Montana State University researchers this week have been studying images taken from a CT scan in search of others inside.
Search on for a turtle species in Himachal Pradesh (With Image)December 29th, 2008 SHIMLA - A search is on at a Himachal Pradesh sanctuary for a species of turtle not earlier known to be found in the state after scientists here made a chance discovery of its carcass. The scientists of the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) have come across a carcass of the eastern black turtle (Melanochelys trijuga) in the Simbalwara Wildlife Sanctuary in Sirmaur district.
Turtle Town celebrates 60th anniversary of hunt for legendary snapper dubbed Beast of BuscoJune 15th, 2009 Beware the legendary Best of 'Busco in Ind. townCHURUBUSCO, Ind.
Ever seen turtle having two heads ?August 18th, 2008 A two-headed turtle was found in Florida but now resides at Sean Casey's Animal Rescue in Kensington. Casey, 27, got the two-headed turtle from a man in Florida who rescued a bunch of eggs after an adult female was killed by a car a year ago.
