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Beach combing for conservation: monitoring flatback turtles along the stunning coastline of Western Australia.
Price/dates/status
This voluntourism project will take you to the strikingly beautiful coastline of Western Australia to conduct a survey of iconic Australian flatback turtles. You will measure and tag turtles, as well as observe and record data about their nesting behaviour. You will also help to collect DNA samples. This is a very hands-on project working from a remote but very comfortable and modern beach camp with the aim of determining flatback turtle nesting numbers and how far dispersed this genetic population is along the seashore of Western Australia. With Australian flatbacks still listed as ‘Data Deficient” internationally by the IUCN Red List, the actions of this project will go a long way in assisting to fill in the information gaps for this species.
DetailsAims & objectives
(1) To conduct consecutive nights of monitoring for nesting turtles to determine species and populations, monitor nest predation, beach dynamics and hatchling success rates. Background
No known annual or consecutive recording of nesting turtles has occurred in the study site until now. Anecdotal evidence together with some past track counts by the Department of Environment and Conservation of Western Australia provided the basis for the establishment of this new annual monitoring programme. Study species Australian flatback turtle (Natator depressus). Other landmark species present: Green turtle, Hawksbill turtle, Loggerhead turtle, Olive Ridley turtle. Terrestrial species include large sand goannas, wallabies and dingoes. Typical day
Turtle monitoring takes place during the evening and night and sometimes early mornings before the heat of the day increases. When not undertaking conservation activities, team members have the opportunity to relax at the Eco Beach resort base, where you can have a drink at the bar, use the pool, or take in the surrounds. There will also be some turtle talks for you to attend during the day. If you are on vehicle patrol, the high tide time will determine when your patrol sets off to its survey location. Once there, you will sleep in tents or under the stars on the beach until it’s time to patrol the beach for up to four hours and then sleep again until sunrise. You will then rise with the sun and conduct a morning survey of any nests missed overnight before you return back to base and a group breakfast at around 09:00. If you are on foot patrol, you will be leaving from base and returning there afterwards to sleep. After returning from patrol and breakfast, you will then have free time to rest & relax until lunch around noon. Lunch will be prepared by the expedition leader & scientist and you will be asked to help with this on a rotational basis. After lunch there is more free time until an early dinner before your patrol leaves again for its turtle survey and a night camping in tents on the beach. Dinner usually consists of sandwiches, which you will prepare yourself from a buffet. On some days you will have dinner at base, on others you will take your dinner out with you on patrol and eat whilst watching the sun set over the beach. Research area
Australia is a country in the southern hemisphere comprising of the mainland, which is the world's smallest continent (also largest island), the major island of Tasmania, and numerous other islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. Partners Our main partner on this project is Conservation Volunteers Australia (CVA), a leading Australian non-profit and non-political, practical conservation organisation operating in all States and Territories of Australia as well as New Zealand. Other partners are the Cable Beach community-based monitoring programme in Broome, the Western Australian Department of Environment and Conservation, the Chelonia Wildlife & Rehabilitation Centre, Environs Kimberley and Seagrass Watch. Our Eco Beach resort base also has a relationship with the traditional aboriginal owners of the land, the Yawuru Native Holders Aboriginal Corporation. Corporate support comes from Land Rover, Swarovski Optik and Snowgum, an Australian outdoor equipment retailer.
Maps
Pictures
Video
Feedback"Almost every sea turtle monitoring programme around the world relies on volunteers to walk the many miles on nesting beaches at night with researchers gathering valuable scientific data. We welcome Biosphere Expeditions and the support they can bring to our flatback sea turtle monitoring program here in Western Australia. This type of research is all about education, active involvement and understanding that sea turtle species can move through the waters of many countries from feeding to mating to nesting areas such as this one." Glenn McFarlane, Marine Species Manager, Eco Beach programme, Australia. "You have created something big with Biosphere Expeditions and Iwanted to thank you for letting me be part of it. My experience withyou was not only extraordinarily enriching and beautiful, but it hasalso put many wheels in motion in my life, amongst other things a newunderstanding of wildlife and nature, as well as a deep personalfriendship. My expedition has been one of the most inspirational andformative experiences of my life. THANK YOU!” “This is one of the most beautiful places I have ever been to and itfelt like a real privilege to wake up here and go out diving with thescientists.” “What a wonderful experience. One that will stay with me for the rest of my life.”“One of the most amazing trips of my life – wonderful people, wonderful experience.” “….absolutely brilliant – this has to be the best ever Biosphere experience! Very impressed by – well everything ……”
"For me this was again a very successful undertaking and I look forwardto receiving a copy of the report. Last year was my first venture into‘responsible travel’ and I feel I made a good choice with BiosphereExpeditions. I would recommend this type of vacation to anyone. I willbe back and follow Biosphere’s development with interest.” “The site was extraordinary, the programme was excellent, theexpedition leader & scientists were extremely well selected forthis kind of an expedition. There was also outstanding care for safetymatters.” “This has been the most wonderful period in my life and I am so glad tohave had the opportunity to spend four weeks here. Many, many wonderfulmemories. Thank you Biosphere for making it all possible and bestwishes to Birgit & Harald for their work here. All in all a very,very memorable and life-changing experience.” “The group dynamic was excellent...our team leader was excellent -really chilled but directive where necessary and the dive master andhis phenomenal knowledge of the sites enhanced all our dives.” “What an incredible experience. Being part of an exciting researchproject with a wonderful team. I am so proud to be part of somethinglike that and so impressed.”
BriefingThe briefing contains very detailed information on this project, including instructions on how to get to the assembly point, what you will be doing whilst on the project and who your expedition leader and scientists will be. Briefings are provided as pdf documents and you must provide a name, country of residence and valid e-mail address to be able to download one. You can access briefings via the Download Centre.
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