April 22nd, 2013 -- Over a dozen delegates and journalists on a study tour at STC-14 were treated to a rare sight Wednesday – a leatherback sea turtle nesting during broad daylight.
Just after midday, the group arrived at Grand Riviere, a stretch of shoreline along Trinidad’s north coast; and members were told during a 30-minute briefing that they would not see the nesting process as the turtles come ashore during the night.
However, on arrival on the beach a leatherback was spotted in the final stages of the nesting process.
Grande Riviere is Trinidad’s most nest-intensive beach during the laying season of sea turtles, including the critically endangered leatherback, and is the third most prolific site in the world. The nesting season runs from May to September every year.
The group was given a guided tour by members of the Grande Riviere Nature Tour Guide Association (GRNTGA) - a non-profit, community based organisation, specializing in turtle protection, environmental conservation, awareness and eco-tourism within the beautiful village of Grande Riviere and environs.
Leatherbacks, the largest sea turtle, can grow to almost 10 feet and weigh 2000 pounds and GRNTGA – a thriving eco-tourism project, is involved in protecting the animals on land from persons who would poke, ride or sometimes kill them.
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Trinidad & Tobago News