Banyan Tree Hosts New MCSS Project

At the beginning of November we (Dr Imogen Webster and Rachel Pool) officially began the new MCSS project entitled “Management of Turtle-Human Interactions and Turtle Rehabilitation” at the Banyan Tree Seychelles Resort.

So we finally moved into our satellite base camp this month. Soon the Turtle and Terrapin Rehabilitation Centre will be up and running – ready for guests to visit! The centre is an integral part of the new project. One of aims includes setting up a breeding program for native terrapins found in the Intendance wetland area. There are two species, Pelusios subniger parietalis and Pelusios castanoides intergularis, both of which are classified as Critically Endangered. To determine the size of the population, we’ve been setting up terrapin traps in the wetland for the past month. We are proud to say that we have caught several Pelusios subniger otherwise known as Black Mud Turtles. One terrapin in particular, named “Happy”, was even caught in the trap two days in a row but at two completely different sites – raising some interesting questions about the movement of this species.

Once we have a rough idea of the population size in the area, we hope to start the breeding program using these recycled Jacuzzis donated by Banyan Tree Seychelles.

Jacuzzis in front of the centre

Another of the project aims includes rehabilitating the Intendance wetland, as this marshy area provides a critical habitat for the terrapins. While the management details are being worked out, us members of the Conservation Team have been trying to do our part by clearing the duckweed and other invasive plant species from some of the smaller ponds.

But we’re not only working with terrapins, we’re also working with their somewhat larger relatives – the sea turtles. We have now intensified the frequency of our turtle patrols on Intendance beach, therefore allowing the Turtle Team to increase their anti-poaching activities on other beaches. Another benefit to the centre is that it will be the first wildlife rehabilitation centre in all of Seychelles. Any injured turtles will be taken care of at our facility and released into the wild when possible.

We hope that once the centre is finished we will be able to take some school groups for visits and find a way of improving community involvement, perhaps by selling local goods. We look forward to keeping you up-to-date with our project. Continue following our blog to find out more!