Turtle Heros! Manatee Conservation Trust

Amidst all the bad publicity focused on "a few" people of Trinidad and Tobago for riding, sitting or otherwise harassing turtles during their attempts to lay their eggs we have found some video of "Turtle Heros" we would like to share with you.

On Monday 25^th May 2009 at 10:00 am the members of the Manatee Conservation Trust (MCT) led by Michael James and Sham Ramsubhage, along with some members of the Manzanilla Community, rescued a disoriented leatherback turtle at Manzanilla which strayed almost 200 yards from the beach, crossing a housing development before ending up in the swamplands. Since the beginning of the turtle nesting season in March, dozens of turtles have headed into the wrong direction after laying. It is not unusual for the Police to receive calls regularly from civic minded Citizens, using the Manzanilla Mayaro Road, of turtles crossing the road. The Police who have close working relationship with members of the Trust and members of the community have responded and rescued all but one which was found dead 200 yards across the road into the grasslands of the Nariva Swamp.

Thanks to the driver of the wrecker who was headed to an accident scene and decided to lend his assistance to the distressed turtle first.

The MCT are currently sourcing slings and a hydraulic vehicle to make this tedious exercise less stressful for these animals. Oops! Sorry about not being able to see the animals’ entry into the sea… the battery went dead. Nevertheless the 500lb turtle was safely returned.

About: Manatee Conservation Trust:

Manatee Conservation Trust The Trust is a non-profit organization based at Nariva, Manzanilla with the majority of its membership (approximating 75%) being drawn from the local communities. Representatives of other environmental interest groups and government agencies comprise the remaining membership. Although the flagship project started out as the protection and rehabilitation of the West Indian Manatee and its habitat, it has grown to encompass the conservation, protection and rehabilitation of the flora and fauna of Nariva Swamp and the adjacent environmentally sensitive areas. For futher information please contact 620-4878