Sea Turtle Conservation
This summer, I hope to be working alongside a research group
known as
Wildlife Sense
for two weeks from the 10th to the 24th of September. Wildlife Sense is a charity and research organisation which
studies the ever-decreasing population of Loggerhead Sea Turtles of the coast
of Kefalonia, Greece. The project aims to study and protect the endangered Sea
Turtles and their nests from damage, to have the maximum number of hatchlings reaching
the sea safely to ensure their future survival as a species.
Every year, sea turtles migrate to Kefalonia to forage and
reproduce. However, both human and natural events often damage and destroy many
eggs. The turtles themselves are regularly injured or killed by accidental boat
strikes, entrapment in fishing gear, or after swallowing plastics left behind
by littering. These threats push the sea turtles of Kefalonia closer to the
brink of extinction.
Therefore, to be able to take part I am aiming to raise £900
to cover the costs of both the project work, and travel expenses.
About me
My name is Samantha and I am a 1st year Biosciences student,
studying Marine Biology. As I am passionate about the oceans and the animals
that reside within them, I think this project is a perfect fit for me as it
combines something I am enthusiastic about with my degree discipline.
Volunteering
The volunteering role involves the surveying of beaches,
looking for any recently laid nests, and then recording the abundance and
condition of the eggs inside. By taking part in the project in September I hope
to be able to monitor the hatching stage of the turtles, and ensure that the
hatchlings have the best possible opportunity to reach the sea.
Shifts may involve survey work, counting the number of
potential hatching sites, or protection of the nests from light pollution or
those who may disrupt the nest sites. With the information gathered, Wildlife
Sense will be able to continuously improve their conservation methods and
maximise the reproductive success of Kefalonia’s turtle population.
Where will your donations go?
Target: £750
This target covers the cost of the project, including:
• Shared accommodation with other volunteers on the project
• Food (cooked in rota by the volunteers)
• An official researcher t-shirt
• Ongoing training and project operation costs
• Return flights to Kefalonia
• Minibus transport to UK airport and airport pickup and
drop off in Kefalonia
The extra money (if reached) will be used as an upgrade to my personal photography equipment, to deliver even higher quality reward photographs.
Rewards
I am offering rewards as thanks for donating to my project.
These may range from images, to postcard to links on social media! Check them
out on the right-hand side of my page.
Keep updated - Follow Me!
I will be posting updates of my fundraising efforts, as well
as during the actual project on my social media.
Instagram
Twitter
Thank you!
Any support will be greatly appreciated. Please share this
project with anyone you think would be wanting to support me – on Twitter,
Facebook, etc..
