Pioneer work on Pulau Banyak
In 2007, the dutch biologist Maggie Muurmans started a sea turtle conservation programme on Pulau Banyak, an archipelago in the west of Singkil, Aceh. Pulau Banyak harbours beaches, that are the nesting sites of three highly endangered turtle species: green turtle (Chelonia mydas), leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) and hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata). Not long ago, Maggie and her team were able to tag and measure the first turtle. The monitoring – one of the few programmes worldwide – is fundamental for the knowledge of migration routes of seat turtles in the Pacific ocean. Regular beach patrols, environmental education in school classes and a volunteer programme are further parts of the conservation programme. The first foreign volunteers are expected to start in november. |
