Almost There!

This past week, everything inside the centre has been full steam ahead, as our grand opening is next week. Throughout the week, the Turtle Patrol Team has been coming in to help us with games and decorations (as much as possible is made from recycled material) and frantic painting sessions have ensued.

The girls making kids games from recycled cardboard

Dr. Imogen Webster painting wetland designs on the wall

Turtle Patrol Team Leader  Vanessa and Conservation Team member Rachel cutting rings out of plastic bottles.

But the fact that the inside of the centre isn’t ready yet hasn’t stopped more guests coming up to see us! As the deadline approaches, the centre’s been gaining momentum and we’ve had at least three couples come up to visit us and see the terrapins in the past week – a bit like a soft opening. We’ve also succeeded in setting up our terrapin tanks with our new pumps. After just a couple of days, the water in the tanks is sparkling clean – which is perfect for watching terrapins swim!

Our two tanks connected to pumps and filters

Guests have also accompanied us on turtle patrol. On Friday we were joined by six guests to dig up a nest we’d seen a lot of activity from in the past couple of nights. Unfortunately, when we started digging up the nest we found many dead hatchlings, many of which were still partially trapped inside their eggs (this is called pipping). Despite the nest being surrounded by a barrier, we’d observed footprints on the nest earlier in their development, which would have compressed the sand surrounding the eggs, making it harder for them to emerge. However, to the delight of the guests we managed to save 13 hatchlings and release them from their sandy prison as they were weak and the sky was overcast. The excitement attracted a big crowd to the hatchlings’ journey down the beach, so it was fortunate that the Turtle Patrol Team arrived just in time to assist us. Their initial passage through the sand to the water allows hatchlings to imprint on the area, helping them to find their way back after they have matured to return to the same spot for laying. As such, it is important to minimise interference with this natural process.

A Banyan Tree guest helping the Conservation Team dig up a nest

A rescued hatchling heading for the sea

The guests waving off the hatchlings as they venture into the sea

Today we welcome Johanna from Wildlife Vets International to the centre to teach us some rehabilitation techniques. Read our blog next week to learn about our new skills and see the completed centre!