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Want to be involved in the turtle watch of 2008? Details in the email copy below from Cheryl King coordinator of the turtle recovery program.
Aloha All,
It’s hard to believe that time has flown by so quickly, but it’s that time of year again- turtle nesting season! Break out those sleeping bags, beach chairs, and red flashlights as it’s going to be heaps of fun! No green or hawksbill nesting to report just yet, but it should be soon.
In preparation for the season one major thing needs to be done again- fence repair along Sugar Beach so the nesting turtles don’t approach the busy roadway. As I’m sure you’ve noticed, part of the long-awaited recycled plastic fence has been put up already (Yippee!). We have the Kealia Pond National Wildlife Refuge, Alexander & Baldwin, and The Mayor’s Office to thank for the installation. The project isn’t complete yet, as there will be additional posts pounded in between the existing posts to ensure no determined turtles squeeze through the gaps. Funding is being sought for the remainder of the fence and once that is secured and the fence ordered/shipped, it will be put up. But, the timeline for that happening isn’t certain so we’ll still need to fix the rest of the stretch the old fashioned way. It is a tough project, but very rewarding as this is one of the few things that you can directly do to save a critically endangered animal! We obviously do not want a repeat of 1993 & 1996 when nesting females were struck and killed by passing vehicles…
Mahalo to those of you who have contributed in the past- I can’t thank you enough! For those fence-mending pros and rookies, please join us for one of the last few fence repair efforts (hopefully): 8:00am-2:00pm Memorial Day weekend (May 24, 25 & 26). Any time you can contribute will be greatly appreciated.
Since we will be focusing on the fence starting from the section near the Sugar Beach condos in North Kihei, then making our way west towards the new fence, we’ll be meeting each morning in the parking area closer to the condos. Just look for my truck (black Toyota Tacoma), which will likely have a sign in the window. If you can’t locate us, just give my cell a call: 385-5464. I have some to share, but if you have any gloves or wire cutters/pliers please bring them along (along with water, sunscreen and sturdy shoes that can tolerate those pesky kiawe thorns). The more people who get involved the better, so please spread the word!
Repairing the fence is the first priority, followed by some dune restoration and beach cleanups in the upcoming months. Then of course there is the opportunity to see nesting turtles and hatchlings. Hopefully we’ll have more activity than last year, but we’ll just have to wait and see. I’ll be blogging this year, with heaps pictures to keep you in the loop and entertained. You also may want to check out our website: www.wildhawaii.org for more information. And please don’t hesitate to ask any questions you may have.
**If you’ve moved on to new endeavors and would like to be removed from this list, please reply saying so (no worries, whatsoever).
I’m looking forward to seeing you all again soon (and meeting those I haven’t yet)!
A hui hou,
~Cheryl
Cheryl King
Hawai'i Wildlife Fund
Maui Research Coordinator
Hawksbill Recovery Project
Cell: (808)385-5464
(flashback to my first involvement with turtle nesting at Makena State Park)
Hawksbill Turtles Emerging Big Beach August 25,2004
by Peter Jones
Walking of the beach the other day Dr. Leisure was taken by
the movement of a number of people toward the water. Usually it means somebody
is in trouble and assistance is needed. At waters edge the word was "turtles."
Not the usual green sea turtle which can be up to four feet or more in
size but rather small ones of an inch or two. It turns out the newly emerged
turtles were Hawksbill Turtles just out of the nest up the beach.
Excavation of Turtle nest on Saturday August 28, 2004
Special Offer: Both He Wouldn't Drink the Hemlock and Mostly True Life Adventures of Dr. Leisure for price of one $23.99 plus shipping ($3.50) Click the paypal button:
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phone: 808-250-4160 e-mail: DrLeisure1@aol.com World Wide Web: http://www.drleisure.com/ Dr. Leisure is the registered trademark of internationally known cyberspace philosopher Dr. George R. Harker who resides on Maui. Entire contents are copyright by Dr. George R. Harker 1997 -- 2004
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