TURTLE WATCHING IN GRANDE RIVIERE TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO

Cannis
Jun 10, 2015
2 min read

Trinidad and Tobago is alive this time of the year (June/July)! The country is alive with the sound of little flappers swimming though the coral sands of the Grande Riviere Beach in North West Trinidad, Toco to be exact. It is the Turtle Nesting Season. We arrived at the La Grande Alamandier around 5pm in the evening, just in time to experience nature's wonder. Little baby leather back turtles making their way to the ocean, embarking on a journey so dangerous that only 1 percent of turtles hatched make it to adult hood. As the sun set, there was a mad scramble towards the water, it is truly a calming and wonderous site to behold.

Approximately, 100 baby leather back turtles are laid by one female. That night we saw at least 300 babies make their way towards the sea. Flipping flappers, stumbling on the sand, trying to navigate their way towards the ocean, while onlookers try to aid them in their journey. The next morning, around 4am, we were back on beach! Luckily, we found four mothers laying eggs. We did not stay to watch the labouring process, as it seemed to be very intrusive of us. Unfortunately, many others did not share the same view. A couple brought their dog along to view the nesting turtles, needless to say, the mother was unable to lay in peace. Subsequently, she made her way back to the water without laying a single egg. Another couple, saw it as a polite gesture to constantly take photos of the turtles, flash and all, she too was unable to lay her eggs that morning. The most obtrusive of them all, posed to take a picture with the turtle, resting his foot on the mother's back, while she struggled to make a nest for her babies. We tried to explained the danger in their behavior, but, to no avail. It is obvious that some individuals are not civil enough to be onlookers. Moving along.... Turtle watching is one of the most wondrous and peaceful activity and I urge you to experience it responsibly. A warm wave emotions overcomes you while watching a mother labour to prepare the safest nest for her young. A sense of joy and happiness overtakes you when the babies make that mad scramble towards the ocean. As the little ones near the ocean, you begin to hope that they all make it to adulthood, and for me, a nostalgic feeling is experienced as I watch each turtle overcome obstacles to reach their goal.