Page 16 - min ttc

LOCAL A13
Saturday 28 March 2015

Leatherback
Sea Turtle

Season Can
Start Any
Day!

EAGLE BEACH - Have
you noticed the turtle
information signs along
the Boulevard at Eagle
Beach--one in front of
Paradise Beach Villa’s
and another one close
to Costa Linda Beach Re-
sort? The signs are called
“Driekiel-O-Meter” with
information about the
Leatherback Sea Turtles
(locally called Driekiel).
The Leatherback Sea
Turtles nesting on Aruba
don’t live in the Carib-
bean, but in the North-
ern part of the Atlantic
Ocean, off the coast of
Nova Scotia, Canada.
But they are born on Aru-
ba’s beaches. After 20

– 30 years they reach ma- Ask your hotel manager close to the sea, but make q
turity and then return to to turn off or minimize the a stack as far as possible
their natal beach in order lights that are visible on away from the water .
to nest during the turtle the beach in front of the --Do not disturb a nesting
nesting season (March – resort. sea turtle.
July). Normally one female --Do not drive on beaches. Do not attempt to touch
makes about 7 nests per Not all of the turtle nests the turtle but stay at a re-
season. on all the beaches around spectful distance (at least
After laying her last nest Aruba are marked. Vehi- 15 meters).
the female returns to the cles (4x4, quads) compact Do allow the turtle to com-
cold waters of the Atlantic the sand and can crush plete the full nesting pro-
Ocean. She will not come the eggs. cess (about two hours)
back to Aruba the next --Do not litter. Do not leave and don’t be in her way
year, but will skip one or any plastic cups or bags when she returns to the
two years. on the beach. The wind sea.
All species of sea turtles will blow it into the sea. A --Do call Turtugaruba (24
are endangered and floating plastic bag is eas- hour Turtle Hotline: (297)
need our protection. ily mistaken for a jellyfish, 592-9393.
What you can do to pro- the Leatherback Sea Tur- Follow Turtugaruba at:
tect sea turtles: tle’s favorite food.
--Lights out for sea turtles. --Remove obstacles from www.facebook.com/Tur-
Nighttime activities and the beach. tugaruba
artificial lighting may deter Obstacles as beach furni- If you witness a sea turtle,
adult females from nest- ture or recreational equip- or if you see turtle crawl
ing. ment may cause nesting marks, during a late eve-
So PLEASE keep all lights females to abort their nest- ning or early morning stroll
off, including flashlights, ing attempt or may even on the beach please do
flash photography and trap them. call Turtugaruba or notify
video equipment. “Sea So don’t leave any beach the front desk of your ho-
turtles dig the dark” chairs at night unattended tel.
Thanks! q