Leatherback turtle conservation. Local rangers removing eggs from a partially hatched leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) nest. The rangers are

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Leatherback turtle conservation. Local rangers removing eggs from a partially hatched leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) nest. The rangers are part of the Huon Coast Leatherback Monitoring Programme, which uses villagers to collect data on the nesting habits and survival rates of the turtles. Turtles are wholly aquatic reptiles, the females only coming ashore to lay their eggs. Each female lays about 80 eggs in a nest dug in the sand. The eggs hatch after about 2 months. The day after a nest hatches the rangers dig out the nest and count the number of unhatched eggs and stillborn or deformed hatchlings. The loss of nesting beaches and the effects of hunting and pollution have endangered the leatherback turtle. Photographed in Kamiali, Lababia, Morobe Province, Papua New Guinea.

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Size: 4288px × 2848px
Photo credit: © SCUBAZOO/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

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